| The
Historic District in Boca Grande will be awash in blooming color
this April if all goes to plan for the "Boca in Bloom
Week" - a project spawned by the Boca Grande Garden Club
and endorsed by the Chamber of Commerce. Slated for April 11 to
the 16th, the dates happen to fall in Easter Week.
The annual tradition of 'Stations of the
Cross' takes place on Good Friday, and this year the procession
of several hundred that meander throughout the village stopping
for prayer and meditation, should find more shops and business
areas adorned with hanging flower baskets and other floral decor
such as planters.
The idea was presented to the Chamber by
Jackie Weylman, garden club president, said Craig Lutz, chamber
director.
"We thought it was an exciting way to
dress-up the Historic District that is quite nice as it is, but
could be |
something extraordinary. It
happens to be Easter week and hopefully it will bring in more
people who want to see how lovely the downtown can be. And while
they're here create more traffic for our merchants."
Weylman said she got the idea while traveling
through small towns. "Every Spring you'd see May baskets
hanging outside the shops. I thought it might be something that
could be done here." The event is a kick-off to another
garden project in the downtown area that the club hopes to
create on a permanent basis next season.
For this Boca in Bloom week, merchants can use
their imagination on what may be done or get advice from Garden
Club members.
"They can incorporate their products into
the display," said Weylman who with the Chamber is in the
process of putting a pamphlet together offering ideas that will
be distributed to each merchant. |
"The long-term goal is the
beautification of the historic district through a combination of
permanent and seasonal plantings. The end
result would not only
be pleasing to residents, but would serve
merchants as an
additional draw for tourists and visitors," said chamber
President Johns Knight. |
