The San Francisco Flower & Garden Show Announces New Ownership

SAN FRANCISCO, July 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The San Francisco Flower & Garden Show, America's third largest show if its kind, has been sold to business partners Sherry Larsen of Larsen Enterprises, and Maryanne Lucas, Founder and Executive Director of Kids Growing Strong, who will continue to produce this annual show scheduled March 19-23, 2014 at the San Mateo Event Center.

Larsen, a seasoned show producer, believes that next year's Show will mark a new beginning.  "Just as gardens grow, change, and renew over time, so too will the Show." Redesigned from the ground up, the 2014 San Francisco Flower & Garden Show will be version 2.0, unfolding with a new passion. While continuing to encompass all facets of gardening, the San Francisco Flower & Garden Show 2.0 will be packed with fresh ideas, new perspectives and a stronger message emphasizing community and sustainability.  And the Show will not just promote community and sustainability; it will be practiced throughout the Show.

The beautiful garden displays that comprise the biggest attraction in the Show will be designed in 2014 with an eye to actively protect California's natural landscapes. Garden creators will be asked to consider only plants that do not pose a threat to natural California habitats. The new flower pavilion will not only demonstrate a greater emphasis on flowers and floral designs, it will feature top designers using only "California Grown" blossoms to showcase California's rich floral heritage and demonstrate support for California growers and the Slow Flower movement. The new emphasis will be combined with the best elements of the past. "The garden-to-table emphasis will continue surrounded by edible gardens and an all-new Chef Stage. Workshops and seminars will focus on education, sustainability, family activities and healthy living," said Larsen.

Maryanne Lucas is no stranger to the Flower & Garden Show. Maryanne has been a participant in the Show for many years promoting gardening and is an advocate of gardening among young families and the beneficial impact it can have upon their lives.

"As part of the gardening community, we must cultivate a new generation of gardeners and enthusiasts and instill within them a sense of stewardship for our earth and responsibility for the welfare of our neighbors. Our mission is to bring a garden, with all of the riches it holds and the lessons it has to offer, into every child's life."

Maryanne has a broad range of credentials and non-profit experience in the gardening world. She is responsible for establishing the Kids' Adventure Garden in the 33-acre Conejo Valley Botanic Garden in Thousand Oaks, CA. Currently, Maryanne is an active member of the Board of Directors of the American Community Gardening Assn. and a member of the Technical Review Committee for the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program for the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

Ticket costs will remain the same and go on sale in October 2013.

Contact:
Gary Fiset
1-415-392-2590
[email protected]

SOURCE San Francisco Flower & Garden Show