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Themed
Weekends Pack Extra Zing Into
2007 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival
Festival Runs April 5 through June 3
LAKE BUENA
VISTA, Fla. -- A new Cinco de Mayo celebration, interactive bug releases,
family-fun activities and how-to gardening sessions add plenty of themed
fun to every weekend of the 14th annual Epcot International Flower &
Garden Festival April 5 through June 3. Each of the nine festival weekends
features a special theme with events and activities that add to the daily
festivities.
Premiere
Weekend April 5-8
The festival
opens with 30 million blooms, topiary magic, gardening activities and
new exhibits.
Paul Revere
and the Raiders launch the Flower Power concert series at America Gardens
Theatre.
Paul James,
a.k.a. "The Gardening Guy(" and host of HGTV's "Gardening
By the Yard," answers gardening questions and provides helpful
insight into this popular hobby as part of the Great American Gardeners
series presented by the American Horticultural Society on April 5-8
at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. at the Garden Odyssey Festival Center.
Garden
Parties Weekend April 13-15
Beloved
Disney characters host a series of whimsical garden parties for guests.
Tony Orlando
in concert (4/13-14) and The Buckinghams (4/15) belt out nostalgic tunes
during the Flower Power concert series.
Pat Lanza,
author of "Lasagna Gardening," dishes up tips on how to improve
Florida soil for growing herbs and plants like the pros. At 12:30 and
3:30 p.m. at the Garden Odyssey Festival Center.
Art in
the Garden Weekend April 20-22
Guests
get a first-hand look at nature through the eyes of plein air artists
and can browse the works of featured Art in the Garden artists.
The Turtles
featuring Flo and Eddie (4/20-21) and The Box Tops (4/22) rev up the
Flower Power concert beat through the weekend.
Renowned
wilderness photographer Clyde Butcher talks with guests about their
passion for the outdoors and offers photography tips. At 12:30 and 3:30
p.m. at the Garden Odyssey Festival Center.
The renowned
Florida Highwaymen appear with their legendary landscapes.
Children
can enjoy the Kids Paint Out experience in Future World East. Easels
and special paint bottles are set out for kids to paint freehand (or
any other style) with the assistance of a professional artist nearby.
I Dig
Bugs Weekend April 27-29
Guests
discover that bugs are fun and keep gardens healthy.
Disney's
Animal Kingdom bug specialists appear to give guests a close-up look
at caterpillars, spiders and other creatures.
The Tokens
(4/27-28) and Peter & Gordon (4/29) rock the Flower Power concert
stage.
Tom Turpin,
award-winning Purdue University professor of entomology and founder
of the "Bug Bowl," talks about the benefit of insects. At
12:30 and 3:30 p.m. at the Garden Odyssey Festival Center.
Jiminy
Cricket and friends make special appearances in Future World throughout
the weekend at various times.
Ladybugs
will be released more frequently throughout the I Dig Bugs Weekend.
Cinco
de Mayo Weekend May 4-6
The history
behind the Cinco de Mayo holiday comes alive during fun-filled activities
at the Mexico pavilion.
Petula
Clark revives 1960s memories (5/4-5) and Nelson featuring the songs
of Ricky Nelson (5/6) strike a familiar chord during daily concerts.
Central
Florida gardening celebrity Tom MacCubbin piques interest with talks
on edible landscapes. At 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. at the Garden Odyssey Festival
Center.
Mother's
Day Weekend May 11-13
Members
of the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs exhibit a spectacular display
of floral arrangements at the Festival Center.
Moms are
treated to a complimentary flower exclusively on Mother's Day, May 13.
Families
can celebrate mom at the Mother's Day Brunch on Sunday, May 13, at World
ShowPlace. Times are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Guests can make reservations at
407/WDW-DINE (939-3463).
Flower
Power great Davy Jones makes moms swoon during daily concerts.
Guerlain
perfume specialist Raymond Western talks about the intimate relationship
between perfumes and plants like those displayed at the France pavilion's
Fragrance Garden. At 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. at the Garden Odyssey Festival
Center.
Children
can create the perfect Mother's Day card.
Characters
in Bloom Weekend May 18-20
Dozens
of Disney characters pop up throughout the park for a character extravaganza.
B.J. Thomas
(5/18-19) and Grass Roots featuring Rob Grill (5/20) make Flower Power
concerts sing each weekend day.
Robert
Bowden, director of the lush Harry P. Leu Gardens in Orlando, discusses
plants with character, including those with unusual texture, color and
habits. At 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. at the Garden Odyssey Festival Center.
Tinker
Bell's Fairy Garden showcases a glittering Tinker Bell topiary and provides
fun for everyone, especially younger children. The new Pluto's Play
Zone features climbing fun for kids 6 and up.
On May
19, from 1-5 p.m., and May 20 from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m., artisans showcase
handcrafted dolls and teddy bears at World ShowPlace.
Memorial
Day Weekend May 26-28
Children
can take part in Field Day activities in Future World East with beanbag
tosses, relay races and other outdoor fun.
Fans dig
The SOS Band (5/26) and Gary Puckett (5/27-28) in concert for Flower
Power fun.
Gary Alan,
landscape designer and TV and radio personality, talks about ideas and
methods to create a magical landscape. At 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. May 25-27
at the Garden Odyssey Festival Center.
Festival
Farewell Weekend June 1-3
Georgia
Tasker, author of "Wild Things-the Return of Native Plants"
and "Florida Gardeners Guide," caps the Great American Gardeners
series with sage gardening advice. Tasker holds the Lifetime Achievement
Award from the Tropical Audubon Society and writes for the Miami Herald.
Herman's
Hermits starring Peter Noone wrap the Flower Power series with their
lively British brand of rock.
Surprise craft activities help kids wrap up their festival fun.
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