Note: This event has already taken place. If you are interested in learning about current and upcoming Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden Events, click here.

When: Friday, March 13, 2009 - Sunday, March 15, 2009 from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Enjoy Fairchild's 7th Annual International Orchid Festival!

Choose from over 10,000 orchid plants from more than 50 vendors.

Explore the wonder of orchids during one of our many garden workshops and walking tours.

Marvel at rare orchid species in the American Orchid Society juried show, presented by the Orchid Society of Coral Gables.

Visit the new Orchid Tea Room for an energizing spot of tea and dessert.

Experience our monumental sculpture garden featuring the artwork of Fernando Botero, Dale Chihuly, Kris Martin, Mark di Suvero and Daisy Youngblood.

Enjoy wonderful food and entertainment.

For a full program, click here.

For more information please contact Ann Schmidt at 305-667-1651, ext. 3344 or aschmidt@fairchildgarden.org.

Orchid Festival Lectures

All lectures in CorbinBuilding - Classroom A

Friday, March 13, 2009

10:30 a.m. Discover the Tropics walking tour of Fairchild collections. Meet at the Visitor Center.

11:00 a.m. Jill Sidran, Intro to Orchid Culture

11:30 a.m. Discover the Tropics walking tour of Fairchild collections. Meet at the Visitor Center.

2:00 p.m. Ernie Barham, Intro to Orchid Culture

Saturday, March 14, 2009

10:00 a.m. Explore the world of butterflies and the plants they use at the Lisa Anness Butterfly Garden.

11:00 a.m. Betty Eber, Intro to Orchid Culture

12:00 p.m. Catharine Mannion, Ph.D., Insect Pests of Orchids

1:00 p.m. Alex Lamazares, Repotting and Orchid Care

1:00 p.m. Explore the world of butterflies and the plants they use at the Lisa Anness Butterfly Garden.

2:00 p.m. Mirta Heineman, Cultivo de Orquídeas

(Presentación en español/Presentation is in Spanish)

Sunday, March 15, 2009

10:00 a.m. Explore the world of butterflies and the plants they use at the Lisa Anness Butterfly Garden.

11:00 a.m. Martin Motes, Ph.D., Intro to Orchid Culture

12:00 p.m. Hong Liu, Ph.D., The First Chinese National Orchid Preserve Offers New Hope for Chinese Wild Orchids

1:00 p.m. Robert McMillan, Ph.D., Orchid Diseases and Their Control

1:00 p.m. Explore the world of butterflies and the plants they use at the Lisa Anness Butterfly Garden.

2:00 p.m. Ruben Sauleda, Ph.D., Cultivo de Orquídeas

(Presentación en español/Presentation is in Spanish)

Orchid Festival Kidway 2009 

Fairchild Flower Fairies and Friends starring the Orchid Fairies, Pixies and Gnomes! 

Saturday and Sunday

• Decorate a yummy Vanilla Orchid Fairycake, and sprinkle it with magic fairy dust, courtesy of Sweetcakes Cupcakes. A craft you can eat!
• Make your own tricked-out Fairy Wings or Gnome Hats to wear! Decorate them with your own fairy dust, ribbons, and other embellishments, then wear them in the parade!
• Color a Fairchild Flower Fairy or design an original. Fairchild volunteers from Tropical Botanic Artists Group (TBAG) have designed original drawings of Fairchild Flower Fairies, starring Orchid Fairies!  You can color their designs or create your own! Be sure to meet the TBAG artists under the Visitor Center loggia, and see their orchid art!
• Vanilla: The Orchid We Eat! Did you know vanilla comes from an orchid? Learn about orchids and vanilla with our Fairchild volunteers! See a real vanilla orchid, touch real vanilla beans, smell organic vanilla extract, even learn how to grow one!
• 2:00 pm Parade of the Flower Fairies and Friends- Join orchid fairies, pixies, sprites, and gnomes as they prance along the Orchid route accompanied by the live flute melodies of Robert Billington. You might even see princesses and pirates!
• Vendor Princess Crowns will have princess crowns, magic wands, pirate hats and more!

Saturday Only! Special guest appearance by Michelle Domb, the Flower Fairy who will use her theatrical talents to entertain your little sprites!

Michelle Domb's schedule:

• 11:30 Storytelling with Orchid Fairy: Fairy tales, what else?
• 12:30 Poetry reading: Original poems written for our Fairchild Orchid Fairies
• 2:00 Grand Fairy of the Parade

Sunday Only! Special guest appearance by Sheri Bell the Party Fairy who will enchant your pixies-in-training by creating an aura of magical fun with storytelling, a fairy magic show, and will also lead the children in the Parade of Flower Fairies and Friends! Sheri Bell and friends will also be available for some "fairy pretty" face painting and photos with the children. So don't forget to bring your cameras for this magical adventure!

 Sheri Bell's schedule:  

• 11:30 Introduction to the World of Fairies: magical stories that let the imagination soar!
• 12:30 Fairy Magic Show
• 2:00 Grand Fairy of the Parade