It’s game-on for landscapers, floral artists and aspiring designers across the Sunshine Coast, with hundreds of hopefuls competing for top honours as part of the 2017 Queensland Garden Expo competition program.
Event Manager Marion Beazley said for the first time in its 33-year history, the Queensland Garden Expo would feature the ‘Decorate Your Shovel’ competition, with aspiring green thumbs invited to showcase their creative flair and compete for the coveted first prize.
“Both individuals and groups are welcome to submit their design, with entrants receiving free entry to the expo and going in the running to win $300,” Ms Beazley said.
“The competition has already proved popular with gardening clubs and schools in particular, with students from each year level at Bli Bli State School getting in the gardening spirit and registering to enter their creations.”
“The students are currently digging deep for inspiration; working in teams this week to create what they hope is the winning design.”
Ms Beazley said around 40 individuals and groups had enrolled in the competition to-date, with entries open until the end of June via the Queensland Garden Expo website.
“The competition presents a great opportunity to raise funds for a group activity or project, and even poses a fun school holiday activity for the whole family.”
“We’re looking forward to seeing whether entrants use their creative skills to convey specific messages about things like gardening and sustainability, or instead opt primarily for aesthetic appeal.”
In addition to the ‘Decorate Your Shovel’ competition, the expo will also host the hotly contested landscape garden competition, which sees landscapers bring their latest ideas to life throughout the three-day event.
“The landscape gardens highlight the hottest trends in backyard makeovers, with everything from Asian-inspired settings, right through to water landscapes and cottage gardens having been unveiled in past years,” Ms Beazley said.
“The bar gets lifted higher each year, so as always, entrants are keeping their designs under wraps until the grand reveal in July.”
“Trophies aside, taking out the top gong in this competition affords significant bragging rights, so I’m confident we’ll see plenty of friendly rivalry between entrants in the lead-up to the event.”
The landscape garden competition presents a win for expo attendees too, with visitors able to draw inspiration from the gardens on display, and seek information and tips from the team of landscapers.
Ms Beazley said the new ‘reflection gardens’ on display would also provide plenty of fuel for thought, with expo exhibitors creating a number of displays surrounding the themes of cocktail hour and sunset drinks.
“The reflection gardens focus on demonstrating ways to enjoy the peaceful haven of your garden and will be an ongoing feature of Queensland Garden Expo with a new theme each year.”
“The designs are independently judged by a panel of experts and the public will have the opportunity to choose their favourite in the People’s Choice Award.”
Ms Beazley said the annual floral design competition – organised by the Nambour Floral Art Group – would also form part of the competition line-up in 2017.
“The competition attracts some fantastic entries each year, with all of the arrangements on display in the Pavilion building during the expo.”
“Registrations are still being accepted for those looking to try their hand at floral design, and members of the Nambour Floral Art Group will be on-hand throughout the three-day event to answer any questions.”
The 2017 Queensland Garden Expo will feature more than 120 presentations and demonstrations across eight stages, with 55 nurseries expected to sell over 40,000 plants a day. It will be held on 7-9 July at Nambour Showgrounds, Coronation Avenue, Nambour.
To find out more or purchase tickets online, please visit www.qldgardenexpo.com.au.
Fast facts — Queensland Garden Expo
• Three-day event
• 38,000-plus attendees
• 360-plus exhibitors and displays including 55 nurseries
• 120-plus free lectures and demonstrations
• Eight speaker stages
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Media contact: Kristen Roder, Fresh PR & Marketing M: 0406 546 461 E: kristen@freshprm.com.au
More details
Where: Nambour Showgrounds, Coronation Avenue, Nambour on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.
When: Friday, 7 July to Sunday, 9 July 2017.
Opening times: Gates open 8:00am daily.
Gates close 5:00pm Friday and Saturday, 4:00pm Sunday.
Disability access:
The showground offers excellent facilities for wheelchair visitors with on-site disabled parking, easy access and ground level exhibits along with disabled toilet facilities. Guide dogs are welcome.
Tickets:
Adult entry – $18.
Aged concession – $16.
Children 15 years and under – Free.
Groups of 10 or more – $16 each.
Two-day weekend pass (Saturday and Sunday) – $30.
Three-day pass – $40.
