13 September 2013

Floriade launched this morning

13 September 2013 | Barcham

I attended the Floriade launch this morning, and managed to get a free pie and a quiche for my efforts.

Both were wonderful.

A hundred or so members of the government, the press, and various marketing departments all met to exchange excited chatter and glasses of orange juice in Cafe Valenti while a selection of television personalities I don’t know discussed food security and labeling concerns. It was all rather funny and charming.

Andrew Barr was on hand to give a launching speech and I wondered when my life changed so much that I now recognise politicians quicker than I do television celebrities.

Celebrities.
Who are these people?

The most interesting takeaway from the launch was when they mentioned that Floriade this year will have a different theme every week, complete with different activities and events.

So now you have to go four times.

Check the program on their website.

Floriade opens to the public tomorrow, so go find your sunhat.

UPDATE: Andrew Barr put out a press release about the launch, and it seems he still watches television and knows who everyone is.

Andrew Barr is more “with it” than I am.

Floriade begins this weekend with a star-studded line-up including renowned jazz vocalist and star of The Voice Emma Pask, Oxfam ambassador Julie Goodwin, and star of Channel 10’s The Living Room Barry Du Bois.

Week one of Floriade will focus on the theme of Smart Living, with opportunities to learn from leaders in sustainable living including ABC TV’s gardening guru Costa Georgiadis, Australia’s queen of green Lish Fejer and The Cook and The Chef’s Simon Bryant.

Inventive designs, new-age trends and cutting-edge fashions will be on display when week two explores the concept of Future Style, featuring Sydney designer and stylist Emma Elizabeth and daily fashion shows by The Canberra Centre.

Check out the latest gadgets during week three as Floriade investigates Invention with a week of programming by Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre, and appearances from famed science enthusiast Dr Karl Kruszelnicki. This week will culminate with the announcement of the Floriade and ABC Radio National Aspiring Inventors Competition winner.

Our country’s multicultural diversity will be on display during week four as Floriade focuses on the topic of Contemporary Cultures, featuring former MasterChef contestant Poh Ling Yeow and award-winning chef Shane Delia.

For the sixth consecutive year Commonwealth Park will be transformed into a moonlit extravaganza with the return of Floriade NightFest from Wednesday 25 September until Sunday 29 September. The ticketed twilight event features night markets, light shows, live music, comedy and DJs.

Last year’s Floriade attracted 442,243 visitors and contributed more than $27 million to the ACT economy – figures we hope to expand upon in our Centenary year.
Floriade 2013 runs from Saturday 14 September until Sunday 13 October.

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switch11:06 am 15 Sep 13

Ben_Dover said :

wildturkeycanoe said :

Are these photos from last year’s Floriade or does it look exactly the same again this year?

It looks the same every year, it’s just a bunch of flowers.

That’s a bit harsh, you know they employ somebody to come up with a new “theme” every year…

Ben_Dover8:04 am 15 Sep 13

wildturkeycanoe said :

Are these photos from last year’s Floriade or does it look exactly the same again this year?

It looks the same every year, it’s just a bunch of flowers.

bryansworld6:23 am 15 Sep 13

annus_horribilis said :

annus_horribilis499100″]Brilliant. Time to gridlock Commonwealth Av with the ridiculous traffic lights and dribble pace reduced speed limits. I have no doubt we’ll see a speed van at some point to make sure we’re not endangering the valued tourist packs.

Honestly, Floriade is run every year why can’t someone introduce some foresight and build an under/overpass for pedestrians so we don’t have to go and interrupt traffic flow, let alone the put up and pull down efforts for the signage etc.

Woah betide anyone who gets in the way of your 20 minute commute. Oh yes, and let you speed as well.

Yep. So sorry for imposing on your motoring convenience. Not.

annus_horribilis6:46 pm 14 Sep 13

annus_horribilis499100″]Brilliant. Time to gridlock Commonwealth Av with the ridiculous traffic lights and dribble pace reduced speed limits. I have no doubt we’ll see a speed van at some point to make sure we’re not endangering the valued tourist packs.

Honestly, Floriade is run every year why can’t someone introduce some foresight and build an under/overpass for pedestrians so we don’t have to go and interrupt traffic flow, let alone the put up and pull down efforts for the signage etc.

Woah betide anyone who gets in the way of your 20 minute commute. Oh yes, and let you speed as well.

wildturkeycanoe6:13 pm 14 Sep 13

magiccar9 said :

Honestly, Floriade is run every year why can’t someone introduce some foresight and build an under/overpass for pedestrians so we don’t have to go and interrupt traffic flow, let alone the put up and pull down efforts for the signage etc.

I think they spent that money making all the paths lead to Parliament House instead. You could direct the pedestrian traffic around under the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge, but then people would have to walk, God forbid.

Roundhead895:56 pm 14 Sep 13

Looks like Floriade might not have things to themselves this year. This morning I heard ads for Tulip Time, Bowral on local TV and radio for the first time and the tulip farm just over the border on the way to Goulburn has also stepped up promotion. I was in Sydney last weekend and didn’t hear or see one ad for Floriade but the promotion of Tulip Time was relentless.

magiccar93:50 pm 14 Sep 13

Brilliant. Time to gridlock Commonwealth Av with the ridiculous traffic lights and dribble pace reduced speed limits. I have no doubt we’ll see a speed van at some point to make sure we’re not endangering the valued tourist packs.

wildturkeycanoe7:06 pm 13 Sep 13

Are these photos from last year’s Floriade or does it look exactly the same again this year?

c_c™4:14 pm 13 Sep 13

Honestly, I can barely stand to go once. It’s so gimmicky these days. Tulip Top Gardens is much better.

Ben_Dover12:02 pm 13 Sep 13

So now you have to go four times.

Ermmmmm…. No.

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