Press Release

March 20, 2014
Contact: Sarah Scott, 318-226-0267
or Teresa Edgerton, 318-572-0937

Highland Garden Tour Returns May 10

On Saturday, May 10, 2014, from 10am-2pm, the historic Highland neighborhood will throw open its garden gates to the public for the second Highland BLOOMS Garden Tour. View the hidden gardens—the creative and tranquil spaces in the unique and trendy neighborhoods of Fairfield and Highland—and purchase one-of-a-kind art at the Spring Artists’ Market.  The RAIN DATE for Highland BLOOMS is Sunday, May 11.

Advance tickets to Highland BLOOMS will be available from C & C Electric, 2430 Line Avenue, and at www.thehighlandexperience.org for $12, starting April 7. Tickets will also be available the day of the event at C & C Electric and Lighting for $15, and cash purchases of the $15 tickets can be made at any garden.  HRA members presenting membership cards will be able to purchase tickets for $10 at C & C Electric.

An added attraction, back by popular demand, is the raffle of a lovely self-contained water feature. Each raffle ticket is only a one dollar donation, and you may be the lucky person who gets to add the fountain to your garden.  Raffle tickets will be available at each garden, and the fountain may be seen at The Center for Families location on the day of the tour.

Sponsors of this year’s Highland BLOOMS include the Highland Restoration Association, Fairfield Historic District Association, and SWEPCO.   All money raised goes back into the Highland community toward continuing beautification efforts.

The venues open to tour goers will include the following:

  • Ben Humphrey at 948 Boulevard Street offers a hidden oasis and outdoor entertaining venue where complimentary refreshments will be served.Tranquil with a Mediterranean nod, this garden is one you should not miss.  Expect to sit a while and enjoy a massive stone fireplace sitting area, quirky greenhouse, and active composting process to the side of Ben’s garden. Ben is ready to answer questions about how to start your own compost project.  Ben’s garden was all but dead two years ago when he first bought the house.  It is impressive what he has done in two growing seasons.
  • The Highland BLOOMS Artists Market will offer one-of-a-kind art for sale at 2102 Southern Avenue. Take advantage of the opportunity to browse the booths of area artists inside one of Highland’s premier artist studios and purchase art that isn’t available anywhere else.
  • The serenity garden of the Center for Families, 864 Olive Street, features a water feature and koi pond in a shady hideaway that invites you to sit and rest awhile.  You will enjoy watching the birds and fish as you eat your lunch that can be purchased from the food trucks located in the parking lot at this location. The Center for Families is celebrating its 125th anniversary of service to the community in May, and volunteers will be on hand to talk to interested tour goers about the history.The water feature being raffled off for Highland BLOOMS will be set up at this location, and raffle tickets will be on sale here, at C & C Electric, and other garden sites.
  • Lisa Linn, with a little help from her friends, will be at 627 Rutherford Street to show a garden in process.  This garden features a large deck and a labyrinth that was the site of Lisa’s wedding just over a year ago.
  • Cathy McDonald, 515 Columbia Street, may minister to others in her work as a nurse but she ministers to herself by working in the garden areas surrounding her cozy bungalow.  Her garden is a tribute to her father who instilled the love of “playing in the dirt” in his daughter.  The backyard is Cathy’s “found” garden that had three feet of leaves covering everything when she started work on it.  This backyard shaded area shows Cathy’s reclamation of the hidden patio and paths she has uncovered.  It features shade plants and a fairy garden.
  • Katherine Brandl, 323 Washington Street, grows a little bit of everything in her front yard, including vegetables, but behind the garden gate to her back yard, she grows hops from which she brews her own beer.  Information about beer making will be shared.
  • Bob Specien and Janis Gabriel, 2601 Highland Avenue, share their living space with the Phoenix Virtue Temple, while Bob pursues his hobby of bonsai in the extra lot behind their home.  Tour goers will get to see dozens of varieties of bonsai plants.  Expect to see decades old bald cypress, ginko, and maples, to name a few.  Bob will share his passion and expertise in a brief talk for tour goers.  For anyone who has ever thought about trying bonsai, this is your chance to give it a go.
  • Pat Crager, 2221 Creswell Avenue, demonstrates that small is beautiful and found objects make the best garden art when tour goers visit the postage size garden and patio of her Highland condo.  Pat has slowly converted her tiny front yard into a Xeriscape, or low water needs garden, but it still packs a punch.  Her use of discarded concrete and terracotta drain pipes, glass tile, and other quirky artifacts will make you smile.  Expect to exit her tour by walking through her back patio which has a charming grotto feel.

No refunds due if inclement weather forces cancellation of both dates, but tax donation forms will be made available.

Read more about the Highland Restoration Association and Highland BLOOMS at www.restorehighland.org, and join Highland Restoration Association on Facebook. Event information is also posted at www.thehighlandexperience.org and on The Highland Experience group page on Facebook.

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