QCCA Flower And Garden Show Kicks Off Spring This Weekend

Spring is officially underway in the QC with the QCCA Flower and Garden Show this weekend.

If you have more of a green thumb than I do, 'tis the season to plan your garden for the spring. The QCCA Flower and Garden Show will have more flowers this year than ever before, as well as landscapes and outdoor displays to help inspire you.

The Preview Gala

On Thursday, March 23rd, the Flower and Garden Show Preview Gala will be from 4:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Tickets are $25 at the door. Advance tickets can be purchased online at QCCAexpocenter.com.

The QCCA Flower and Garden Show

The event opens to the public on Friday, March 24th and goes through Sunday, March 26th. Hours are:

• Friday: noon-8:00 p.m.
• Saturday: 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
• Sunday: 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Tickets are $8 for adults, $1 for kids 6-15 years old, and it's free for kids 5 and under. Friday is Senior Day and Military Appreciation Day so seniors over 65 and/or military vets or active duty can attend the show for $6. Discounted adult tickets are also at qccaexpocenter.com.

When You Can Get The Flowers

You'll be able to get most of the flowers and plants that you'll see at the show on Monday, March 27th, starting at 2:00 p.m. in the North Hall of the Expo Center.

Special Events

There are a lot of speakers and special events happening during the show weekend. Here are a few.

Friday, 3/24

2:00 p.m.: Emily Swihart, U of IL Extension Horticulture Educator, How to Plant and Care for Trees

4:00 p.m.: Dick Potter, U of IL Extension Master Gardener, Riverside Rain Garden

6:00 p.m.: Jimmy Wiebler, Nahant Naturalist & Researcher, Frogs

Saturday, 3/25

12:00 p.m.: Oliver Lincoln, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Bats

2:00 p.m.: Paul Crosser, U of IL Extension Master Gardener, Native plant seed collection, processing and germination techniques

4:00 p.m.: Jody Zimmerman, West High School, Light Pollution

6:00 p.m.: Paige Burke, Monarch Rescue Team, All about Monarchs

Sunday, 3/26

12:00 p.m.: Jim Knorr, U of IL Extension Master Gardener, Energy Savings for the Homeowner

2:00 p.m.: Dave Arensdorf, U of IL Extension Master Gardener and Master Naturalist, The Future for Modern Sustainable Gardening

You can keep up with the latest from the event on the QCCA Expo Center's Facebook page and the QCCA Flower and Garden Show's Facebook event.