This years theme was “Seasons Of The Hudson Valley” for the displays in the Horticulture building at the Duchess Fair. After much deliberation and thought I came up with a life size Mother Nature dressed in the 4 seasons and with the added feature of wings. The second display was a twist on the 150th anniversary of Saratoga Race Track. As everyone knows, all my displays must come with a subtle message involving the environment or its creatures.
Mother Nature was made of all local grown botanicals with a sign promoting them along with the plight of our US flower farms, chemical use on the imports, and a plea to buy local.
And, what a job she was…tedious and detailed. Her Head was spring, her chest was summer, her hip area was autumn with corn, squirrels, and acorns. While her long skirt was winter cedar, cones, and fat blue jays!
Making the wings seemed a wonderful idea but as all my ideas seem great at the time-making it is always a different song! I thank my best helper ever, Isaiah-Izzy to me-for being so patient in wrapping and wiring. 🙂
The second display was a tribute to the 150th anniversary of the Saratoga Race Track. As you all know, I am not a proponent of any animal racing even though they love to run and I love seeing them run; but the state of the animal racing industry is horrific. The other side we do not see is dark, dangerous, cruel, and not at all a happy picture. With that, I thought about what if things were reversed and it were the horses going to see humans racing! So I decked them out in their fine Saratoga hats decorated with their favorite things for a day at the races. I posted information on the plight of our native, wild horses… of course. And thanks again to Izzy-as he recreated the famous white fountain surrounded by red flowers.
All of the displays were beautiful, and all the florists & landscapers who participated should be thanked as we all do it labor free to make the Horticulture building a beauty of Nature. It is a load of work but we love it.
Until next year…
Lynn