Flower power returns to York this weekend as Bloom! returns to York.
The festival celebrating all things horticultural was a huge hit in its inaugural year. This time, it’s a more compact affair, concentrated over the weekend (22-23 June) at Dean’s Park next to York Minster.
The mini festival focuses on York’s growers and celebrates existing and budding gardeners.
People can enter their floral arrangements, food and crafts in a Flower and Produce Show.
Anyone can enter on the day (Saturday, 22 June, between 8am and 10am) and categories, chosen with a Yorkshire twist, include everything from the best Yorkshire parkin to best small potted lupin.
The Flower & Produce Show will run from 12 noon-4pm on Saturday.
Market and more
Free events for children and families over the two days include a bee story workshop, investigating the importance of bees, vegetable self-portrait making and floral crown creating.
These will be held underneath the trees of Dean’s Park Gardens where bunting and floral decorations will continue the ‘village fete’ theme throughout.
And on Sunday visitors have the chance to buy from local producers at a plant and flower market. Expect plants and posies from the likes of Askham Bryan College, Flower Power York, iBloom, Botanic and more.
Bloom! festival director Lotte Inch said:
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York has a long heritage of growers and there are people across the city nurturing their allotments and taking great pride in what they produce.
We hope Bloom! will encourage more people to get involved in everything from composting, to growing vegetables.
All the Bloom! events
[ecs-list-events cat=”bloom!” titlesize=”22px”]
Bloom! classes for entry
Produce
(Presented on a plate of your choice, selected to best show off your baking)
A Victoria Sponge Cake [ Raspberry Jam, Butter Cream, Icing Sugar | 2 x 7/8” tins]
3 Pieces of Yorkshire Parkin
A Yorkshire Fat Rascal
3 Gluten Free Brownies
A Vegan Lemon Raspberry Loaf Cake (See recipe at end of document)
A Gin & Tonic Cake
A White Farmhouse Loaf
Two bread rolls – any variety
Preserves
(Presented in a clear jar with lid and label tied around neck of jar indicating contents)
One Jar of Blackcurrant Jam
One Jar of Strawberry Jam
One Jar of Gooseberry Jam
One Jar of Marmalade (any variety)
One Jar of Lemon Curd
One Jar of Chutney (any variety)
One Jar of Chilli Jam
Flower Arranging
An arrangement of wild flowers in a vase. Any foliage, for effect. No accessories.
A vase of mixed herbs (grown from seed)
A small summer arrangement in a dish or bowl. Height must not exceed 125mm from table.
A Buttonhole
A Terrarium (Height must not exceed 120mm)
Flowers
Three Roses
Three Peonies
An Allium
A Vase of Mixed Sweet Peas
A Vase of Cornflowers
A Small Potted Geranium
A Small Potted Lupin
A Potted Viola
A Single Cactus
Fruit & Vegetables
Four White New Potatoes (washed)
Five Pods of Peas
Five Pods of Broad Beans
One Lettuce – Any Variety
Three courgettes (with or without flowers)
A bunch of six spring onions
Six radishes with tops
A small bowl of Gooseberries (c.10 berries)
A small bowl of Strawberries (c. 6 berries)
Three Stalks of Rhubarb
Two Small Stalks of Redcurrants
Fun & Silly Classes
Open to all ages
The Longest Weed
The Longest Broad Bean
The Ugliest Vegetable
The Vegetable most like an animal or person
Crafty Classes Adults
Aged 16+
Vegetable Self Portrait
Painting / Drawing of your / a garden (Size A3 maximum)
Black and White Photograph: Nature Theme (animals, plants, gardens etc)
Colour Photograph: Urban Nature
Junior Classes
Ages 11-16
A Jam Jar of Flowers
A Jam Jar of Mixed Herbs (grown by yourself from seed)
Drawing / Painting of your Garden
Colour Photograph: Urban Nature
Vegetable Self Portrait
A plate of 2 homemade buns, decorated to your choosing
Kids Classes
Ages up to 10
A miniature Garden on a Plate
A Jam Jar of Mixed Herbs (grown by yourself from seed)
Drawing / Painting of your Garden
Vegetable Self Portrait
A plate of 2 homemade buns, decorated to your choosing.
Dads* & Kids do baking class! Chocolate Sponge Cake with Chocolate Filling & Icing
(*Uncles, Grandparents, Family Friends included in this category!)