The annual Portland Flower Show came to an end Sunday evening, and while attendance was off this year, its principal organizer says she is already in negotiations with the new owners of the former Portland Co. property on Fore Street to bring the show back to the city’s eastern waterfront in 2016.
Joanna Sprague said about 9,000 people visited the 2015 show, which began with a gala party Wednesday evening and ended at 5 p.m. Sunday.
“We didn’t have as many people as last year,” Sprague said, when about 11,000 people attended the show. Children are not included in the attendance figure.
“Parking and icy conditions probably affected the turnout. It’s a new owner and new rules,” Sprague said.
Sprague was referring to the decision by the Portland Co. site’s new owners – CPB2 LLC – to impose a $20 parking fee. The fee was more than the $15 admission price.
Sprague said the show also started about one week earlier than it has in the past. The reason: a wedding was booked at the Portland Co. complex for next week.
Though the wedding was canceled six months ago, it was still too late to change the dates of the annual flower show.
Sprague said she is already in negotiations with CPB2 LLC to hold the show next year at the former Portland Co. site.
“We just have to make sure that the buildings are available,” Sprague said. “It’s really the perfect location for the flower show.”
Sprague said visitors seem to enjoy the atmosphere, which includes darkened halls, brightly lit garden displays, the smell of flowers and dirt, and gurgling water fountains.
The show’s most prestigious prize – the People’s Choice Award – was announced Sunday afternoon.
Sprague said it went to a team of garden designers that included O’Donal’s Nursery of Gorham, Robin’s Nest Aquatics of Hollis and Hill View Mini in Etna. That team of collaborators also won the Best of Show award. The People’s Choice Award is given to the exhibit that receives the most votes from flower show attendees.
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