Ocean City Flower Show Returns to Music Pier for 51st Annual Event: Broadway in Bloom
The Ocean City Flower Show returned to the Music Pier for its 51st annual event this weekend, amazing visitors with vibrant arrangements filling the entire venue, under the theme “Broadway in Bloom”.
“This is really cool,” Nyiera Eliscar said, who spontaneously decided to check out the show after she saw a sign for it during a boardwalk stroll with her friend. “I never really expected to see all these flowers in such creative, unique, elaborate designs. You can really tell the artists’ attention to detail.”
The show was presented by the City of Ocean City and sponsored by The Garden Club of Ocean City. The three-day event was held Friday June 6 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission to the flower show is free, but the Garden Club accepts donations at the door.
The front of the venue displayed the artistic design submissions, which featured over 10 different classes and special exhibits in Broadway theme, like “Bye Bye Birdy” shadow boxes, “Music Man” miniatures, and “The Lion King” submissions from kids ages 3-14. The back half of the music pier was dedicated to horticulture, which included over 50 classes of different plants. Commercial, children’s and amatuer flower displays were all in the running for various awards.
Linda Spengler, co-president of the Ocean City Garden Club said the group set up the exhibit inside of the Music Pier on Thursday, and four certified judges walked through and left feedback on each flower submission. The judges left ribbons on arrangements that earned first through third places, along with honorable mentions.
In addition to professional judging, there was a “people’s choice” vote, where each attendee can vote for one arrangement from the show, and the most popular choice wins.
Spengler said that The Ocean City Garden Club meets monthly from September through June, with the Ocean City Flower Show being their final event together. Many members submitted arrangements for the show.
“It’s just a really nice creative outlet for a lot of people,” Spengler said. “I find it very peaceful to put my arrangement together.”
Ginny Cooper, who has volunteered at the flower show for several years, said this year’s show has been a major success.
“This year has been one of the best,” Cooper said. “It’s been a great show, the theme this year is really good. It’s always a beautiful event.”
Spengler said that she thinks the theme was particularly fun and popular with contestants for its ability to be interpreted many different ways.
“A lot of people really like this one, because there’s so many different ways to interpret all the different musicals,” Spengler said.
Cooper said she enjoys observing everybody’s work for the competition each year, and also the judges’ feedback on each arrangement.
“I don’t enter, I just come to appreciate them,” Cooper said. “I like reading the judges’ comments. I think it brings together why something got a first or second, and they’re very insightful.”
Janet Morris and Carol Spinker visit Ocean City annually during this weekend. After stumbling upon the flower show last year, they made sure to attend during their visit this time around. Morris said her favorite arrangements were the suspended flowers, which were “Aladdin” themed.
“I think that it’s definitely worth it for people to come out and look at all of this,” Morris said. “Even if you don’t grow or know much about flowers, I think you would definitely at least gain an appreciation for it.”