The 21st edition of Canada Blooms, the Toronto Flower and Garden Festival, runs March 10-19 at the Enercare Centre, Exhibition Place in Toronto, Ont.

Featuring stunning display gardens built by Landscape Ontario members, this year’s festival is based on the theme ‘Oh Canada!’ in celebration of Canada’s sesquicentennial.

The annual showcase of landscape, horticulture and floral professionals is the largest of its kind in the country.

For 2017, show organizers have added more seminars, all of which take place on-stage or the show floor, including a new workshop area and pop-up workshops in the flower show and Pick Ontario areas.

This year’s festival also boasts more plants (20,000), more gardens (25), a larger garden marketplace and over 1,000 volunteers. Changes at the festival are due in part to the extensive feedback and statistics show management compiled from last year’s festival.

Some attendee statistics include:

• Attendance of over 185,000 people.
• 94 per cent of attendees are homeowners.
• Of those 77 per cent attended the festival with their spouse.
• 40 per cent of attendees come from outside the GTA, including other provinces and the U.S.
• 29 per cent of attendees are from the GTA.
• 31 per cent of attendees are from the City of Toronto.
• 31 per cent of attendees look for gardening and landscaping ideas at the festival.
• 44 per cent of people attend to visit the display gardens and floral displays.
• 38 per cent look for new products and ideas.
• 46 per cent look for advice, education and inspiration.
• 86 per cent of attendees rated their overall experience as good, very good, or excellent.
• 71 per cent are likely to return in 2017.
• The number one reason why people attend Canada Blooms is to discover what is new.

 

A media giant

Each year, Canada Blooms draws lots of attention from television, radio, print media and internet bloggers from all over the world. Here are some statistics on the media attention the festival enjoyed in 2016:

• $3.9 million worth of media generated.
• Eight million web page views between January and March.
• Newsletter distributed to over 40,000 subscribers.

 

Giving back to the community

Any proceeds from the festival are donated to local projects or organizations. Over the 20 year history of Canada Blooms, over $5 million of space and funds have been provided to non-profit horticulture-related organizations and projects.

In addition, Canada Blooms serves as a powerful economic engine for the City of Toronto, generating $25 million for the region.

At the conclusion of the festival each year, over $10,000 worth of plants are donated to Toronto-area seniors centres. In 2016, plants were distributed to Carefree Lodge, Willowdale Manor Supportive Housing and Cummer Lodge.

For full details, or to participate in Canada Blooms next year, visit the festival website at canadablooms.com.

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