One of Argentina’s most pleasant rites of spring is the National Flower Show that a group of floriculturists from seven communities organizes every year in the Buenos Aires Province town of Escobar from the last weekend of September to the second weekend of October. The 46th edition will open to the general public on September 26 at 9am.
Exhibits of native flowers and plants, floral arrangements, commercial stands, places to eat, kiddies’ play areas, and a plant nursery that sells all sorts of indoor and outdoor plants will occupy pavilions totaling 7,200 m2, and landscaping displays 170,000 m2 of parks and gardens.
This year, the flower show is being represented by a plant and a flower. The plant is a carnivorous fly trap, and if that isn´t to your liking, there is always the flower, a carnation.
On Saturday Oct. 3 at 7pm, a parade of floats bearing Flower Show queen candidates; horse-drawn carriages, and vintage cars will begin to wind its way through the streets of Escobar. On Sunday Oct. 4, the Flower Queen will be chosen and crowned. If it rains, these events will be postponed until the following weekend.The Japanese community’s Flower and Vegetables Contest will take place Oct. 10-11.
The show will be open from 9am to 7pm Monday to Thursday, until 8pm on Friday and Sunday, and until 9pm on Saturday. General admission is 15 pesos Monday to Friday and 20 pesos on Saturday and Sunday, with discounts for retirees and students, and it is free for kids under 10 accompanied by an adult.
Escobar is 50 km from Buenos Aires. Transfers between the show and the Constitución terminal in Buenos Aires at 20 pesos each way on weekends way can be arranged by calling (03488) 422-967. For more information on the National Flower Show, visit http://www.fiestadelaflor.org.ar/.
Other options nearby: Escobar is also home to the state-of-the-art Temaikén zoo, but trying to see it and the flower show in a day would be rather grueling. However, a nice couple of days dedicated to both can be arranged by spending one or two nights at the Isla Margarita inn and restaurant in the San Fernando Delta, just a ten-minute trip from the Port of Escobar with the Pflüger boat company (03480-460-507).
Those who feel like seeing more of the Delta can return to Buenos Aires from Isla Margarita via Tigre with the Delta boat company (4749-0537), and the train from the Tigre terminal. The trip through the Delta takes nearly two hours. Information: 4728-2495 or http://www.islamargaritabue.com.ar/.PHOTO CREDITS: Carnivorous plant and Carnation. Fiesta Nacional de la Flor. Isla Margarita moorage and guest room in the San Fernando Delta. Isla Margarita.