Blooming Bacchus

By Tina Seirlis

The call is out for all green thumbs, gardeners, photographers, creatives, floral artists, jam-makers, and bakers, as the Bacchus Marsh Flower & Garden Show has announced this year’s event will take place on the weekend of 28 and 29 October meaning it’s time to start nurturing your Show entries, particularly in cut flower categories.

The 2023 event not only celebrates all things floral but provides an opportunity for locals to enter into many other competition categories along with fun activities for children.

The Show originally commenced as a means of raising awareness towards the need for an Aquatic Centre in Bacchus Marsh, although the organising committee’s structure has evolved after Moorabool Shire Council took on advocacy responsibility for the new pool. The not-for-profit event has since been adopted by the Rotary Club of Bacchus Marsh and is supported by an active 16-strong volunteer committee, some of whom are also Rotarians.

Kathy Cairns, Chair of the Bacchus Marsh Flower & Garden Show said she has been involved since the beginning when it was the Bacchus Marsh Horticultural Show.

“I was approached by the founder Joce Williams who was a friend. I am now the Chair and enjoy putting the Show together and very much enjoy the weekend, especially walking into the hall and seeing all the colours, the perfume and the general atmosphere.

“I am very lucky to have such a happy and enthusiastic committee.”

According to Ms Cairns, approximately 800 people attended the event last year following a two-year COVID-driven hiatus. A large percentage of event-goers are said to be from Bacchus Marsh and surrounding local towns.

In addition to celebrating plants and flowers, there are many other Show highlights including photography, cakes, preserves, and the annual plant sale. Young locals are invited to take part in junior competition categories, along with enjoying face painting, balloon blowing, and a children’s activity table.

This year the event, which is in its ninth year, will return to the Public Hall and is hoping to build on attendance and competition entries.

Ms Cairns said anyone can enter the Show and the competition schedule is on their website.

“Closer to the Show there will be schedules available in many of the shops in Bacchus Marsh. The competition entry fees are $2 for adults and $1 for children, per entry,” she said.

The Show is very much dependent on the weather and which flowers are in bloom.

“Flowers like roses are very weather-dependent and have a mind of their own.  Last year roses and natives were very late to bloom and resulted in lower entries but this year the weekend for the Show is scheduled a little later so we are hoping this will help.”

Those planning to get in early in preparation for their Show competition entries should visit www.bmflowershow.org.