Jo Ann Holt
Dallas Blooms celebrates America the Beautiful as the theme for its 2021 festival at Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. The largest annual floral festival in the Southwest, Dallas Blooms is presented by IBERIABANK/First Horizon and runs from Feb. 20 to April 11.
“America the Beautiful” showcases an explosion of color from 100 varieties of spring bulbs. More than 500,000 spring-blooming blossoms, thousands of azaleas, and hundreds of Japanese cherry trees are featured.
Each week, Dallas Blooms focuses on one of the six regions in the United States with food, music, flowers, and special events. Dallas Arboretum has created three areas that are perfect for photos and videos: A large American flag in a raised bed; America the Beautiful large arched topiary letters in front of a beautiful floral display; and a succulent photo wall with daffodil and hyacinth inlays at each entrance.
Dallas Blooms-Spring has Sprung
Photo: Dallas Arboretum
Jim Ryan, Dallas Arboretum Board Chairman, said, “Dallas Blooms marks that spring has sprung in the Southwest. We invite you to experience one of the country’s most colorful floral displays with 350,000 tulips and another 150,000 and spring-blooming flowers. Our festival takes place during spring break and Easter, so it’s become a popular staycation and road trip for many. Come for the flowers, and stay for the fun and festivities!”
The week of Feb. 20-26 was New England Week. The great state of Texas is featured in the Southwest Week, Feb. 27-March 5. Live music by guitarist Dave Garrison and pianist Lee Harbaugh, followed by a Powell Brothers concert featuring the country music duo on the Martin Rutchik Concert Stage & Lawn from 2-4 p.m., is scheduled that Saturday.
On Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Blooms, Boots & BBQ kicks off with barbecue vendors, live music by guitarist Dave Lincoln, and Texas music by Justin Kemp from 2-4 p.m. at Martin Rutchik Concert Stage. Contestants are invited to wear their most unusual boots for the Boots are Made for Walking contest.
Texas Independence Day is March 2, and the first 100 guests to Dallas Arboretum that Tuesday receive a free Texas State flag. At 11 a.m., Michael Hamilton conducts a Tasteful Tuesday Texas-themed floral wreath demonstration at A Tasteful Place.
Craft Beers and Enchiladas
Photo: Dallas Arboretum
On March 3 (which is buy one, get one free admission day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.), Johnathan’s Oak Cliff Chef makes his delicious enchilada soup at 11 a.m. at A Tasteful Place. On March 4, seniors 65 and older get discounted admission and discounts in the Hoffman Family Gift Store. A garden scavenger hunt for guests is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. At 11 a.m. a weekly samples demonstration by Vestal’s features three recipes from A Tasteful Place.
The Thirsty Thursday Blind Taste Test invites guests to test beers from the featured region and compare them to local craft beers from the Metroplex. That Friday, join the Learn to Grow Garden Tour at A Tasteful Place from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.
The nationally acclaimed Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden features 17 galleries, 150 interactive science games, and daily events and activities of themed adventures during Dallas Blooms. The Children’s Adventure Garden is open daily from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. On Texas Independence Day March 2, guests can create tabletop cannons while learning about the Alamo. They may also construct a STEM craft all about Texas’ state flower, the bluebonnet.
Dallas Arboretum
Photo: Dallas Arboretum
Other areas of the country will be featured in future weeks, including The West Week March 6-12; Midwest Week March 13-19; Mid-Atlantic Week March 20-26; South Week March 27-April 4; and Celebrating America April 5-11.
Timed tickets are required, available online at dallasarboretum.org. No walk-ups are available for purchase, and masks are required for the duration of the visit. For the latest information please visit dallasarboretum.org/blooms.
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is on the southeastern shore of White Rock Lake at 8525 Garland Road in Dallas, Texas. Open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Parking is $15 or $10 purchased online. The Dallas Morning News is the principal partner of the Dallas Arboretum. The Arboretum is supported, in part, by funds from the Dallas Park and Recreation Department. WFAA, Channel 8 is an official media sponsor for the Dallas Arboretum. For more information, visit dallasarboretum.org.
