What is Dallas Blooms: Dallas' Popular Floral Festival Celebrates Its 25th Anniversary This Year

If you live in or around Dallas, you know spring is here when the Dallas Blooms festival opens for business. In 1984, Dallas Blooms was only a distant dream of the Dallas Arboretum. Now 25 years later, the festival has blossomed and bloomed its way into the hearts of Texans and millions of people everywhere who love flowers.

Dallas Blooms was first conceived by the Dallas Arboretum's board of directors and many generous patrons who wanted to take the newly born Arboretum gardens to the next level. These individuals pooled their money together to purchase 140,000 bulbs, each with enough brilliance and beauty to inspire even the most uninterested person.

More than 40,000 people attended the first Dallas Blooms and returned the next year and the next. Now the six week event is the largest outdoor floral festival in the Southwest and showcases over 450,000 bulbs and over 100,000 spring-blooming annuals and perennials.

2009 celebrates the 25^th year of the Dallas Blooms and it certainly won't disappoint. The theme for the festival is "A Classic" and runs from March 7 - April 12. Besides the wide array of bulbs, the festival will showcase its 3,000 azaleas and a birthday cake topiary.

Throughout the festival there is something for everyone. Every day, there will be music on the Loggia from 11 AM to 2 PM, as well as a silhouette artist from 11 AM to 3 PM for five dollars a person.

Mommy & Me Mondays and Tiny Tots Tuesdays are perfect for an outing with little ones and run from 10 AM to 2 PM. During both days there will be face-painting, a petting zoo, music, arts and crafts and James French Photos for $15.

Wednesdays are Two for One days when you can bring a Dallas Blooms newspaper ad or print a coupon from the Dallas Arboretum website and get one free admission with each paid adult full price ticket.

Every Thursday, seniors 65 and older receive $6.50 admission and 20% off in the gift shop.

During the weekends, musical entertainment will be featured alongside the beauties of the garden. They will take place Saturdays Noon to 4 PM and Sundays 1 to 4 PM.

Adult Admission - $9.50

Seniors (65+) - $8

Children (3-12) - $6

Children under 3 Free

Special events that will take place during Dallas Blooms include the Storybook Playhouses Exhibit and Artscape. The Storybook Playhouses Exhibit is, of course, based on beloved children's stories and allows local architects to create these unique playhouses for visitors. According to the Dallas Arboretum, the playhouses "will tie into educational literacy targeted to children." The playhouses will be on display throughout the gardens from March 7 to December 31.

Artscape is the Dallas Arboretum's juried art show and sale taking place March 21 & 22^nd from 9 AM to 5 PM. The art fair will feature artists from around the country as well as food, wine tasting and entertainment.

The Arboretum will also feature a Spring Tea which requires reservations (call 214-515-6610 or visit the website) as well as a variety of events during Easter Weekend. On April 10^th, the Arboretum will have an Eddie Coker Children's Concert and the rest of the weekend will feature the petting zoo and live bunny photos by James French.

Dallas Arboretum Official Website

The Dallas Arboretum Celebrates 20 Years of Dallas Blooms, Dmagazine.com

Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, Visit Dallas-Fort Worth.com