16th Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Celebrates Floral Fun and 'Going Green' March 18-May 31
(February 24, 2009) An elaborate �Cinderellabration� topiary and an environmentally friendly Green Garden bring fresh springtime flair to the 16th annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival March 18-May 31. Amid a colorful tableau of flowers, plants and topiaries, Walt Disney World guests of all ages can explore myriad exhibits and activities geared toward gardening and outdoor fun. Weekend Flower Power concerts will pump up the volume and spread a groovy vibe at America Gardens Theatre in World Showcase.
Each year, Disney gardeners channel their creative energy into presenting an intricate topiary display against the backdrop of Spaceship Earth. This year, Cinderella and Prince Charming, Snow White and the seven dwarfs, Sleeping Beauty and Prince Phillip, and Belle and Beast from �Beauty and the Beast� will debut in all their �blooming finery� as the grand front-entrance topiary during the festival.
Throughout the 75-day festival, more than 70 topiaries will decorate the park landscape and showcase the extraordinary craftsmanship of Disney gardeners. Sweeping floral beds and exhibits will feature 30 million blooms. A Fragrance Garden at the France pavilion will tell the �love story� of plants and perfume, and the English Tea Garden at the United Kingdom pavilion will explore the art and history of blending tea plants. The art of bonsai will �wow� guests at the Japan showcase.
Flower Power Concert Series
Harold Melvin�s Blue Notes, popular for their Grammy Award-nominated single �If You Don�t Know Me By Now,� and other hit makers will strike nostalgic notes during Flower Power concerts each weekend of the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, beginning March 20, at Walt Disney World Resort.
The spring shower of hit songs from the 1960s and '70s begins with opening-weekend performances by Davy Jones, known for multiple pop singles including �Daydream Believer.� Flower Power concerts strike a lively, nostalgic chord at America Gardens Theatre every Friday, Saturday and Sunday and are included with regular Epcot admission.
Concerts start at 5:15, 6:30 and 7:45 p.m. Here�s the lineup for March and April (subject to change without notice):
- March 20-22 � Davy Jones
- March 27-March 29 � Paul Revere & The Raiders
- April 3-April 5 � The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie
- April 10-April 12 � Herman�s Hermits starring Peter Noone
- April 17-April 19 � The Ventures
- April 24-April 26 � Harold Melvin�s Blue Notes (NEW)
-- Posted February 24, 2009