John M. Parker Coliseum is being converted to a world of plants and gardens to get ready for a garden show that will capture the eyes and minds of visitors.
The second annual Baton Rouge Spring Garden, put on by the LSU Department of Horticulture, is set to open Saturday.
David Himelrick, head of the Department of Horticulture, said the success of the inaugural show last year prompted a repeat.
“Last year was a great success,” Himelrick said. “It is good for the campus, the community and the department.”
The show features a number of vendors displaying a variety of plants, gardening products and merchandise — artwork, furniture, unusual planters and irrigation.
Almost everyone in the Horticulture Department is involved with the show in one way or another, said Victoria Hurst, Himelrick’s secretary.
Robert Mirabello, an instructor of horticulture, is the grand planner for the event. He is in charge of layout and landscape design — carrying over his duties from last year’s show.
“There are a lot of plants and interesting things to look at,” Mirabello said. “We are incredibly optimistic about this year’s show.”
Along with the many plant and landscape displays, there is a giant gazebo and a large water garden with a pool and waterfall.
By using the adaptability of Parker Coliseum, the pond actually is dug into the ground in the coliseum floor.
“The coliseum is being completely transformed,” Himelrick said. “People are going to walk in and go ‘wow.'”
Speakers from the Horticulture Department, the School of Landscape Architecture, East Baton Rouge Parish’s Horticulture agency and the Consumer Horticulture Extension will talk about a number of different topics concerning the environment and plant and animal life.
“We got a lot of positive responses from last year,” Himelrick said. “So, I think we will have a good turnout from people of all ages.”
This year’s show is similar to last year, but not exactly the same, Himelrick said.
“There is a different design element this year,” Himelrick said. “There are lots of magnolias, palms, azaleas — everything is so pretty.”
The show also features children’s activities, such as planting seeds, playing with insects and learning about animals from the Baton Rouge Zoo, Himelrick said.
The Ag Student Association will provide refreshments throughout the day.
The event is scheduled to be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday. Adult admission is $5, and children under 12 will be admitted free. Students with a valid LSU ID also will be admitted free.
“It is going to be fun, educational and pretty,” Himelrick said. “This should be fun for the whole family and is the place to be if you love plants.”