Think spring this weekend at the Rhode Island Spring & Garden Flower Show, celebrating 20 years! Held at the Rhode Island Convention Center from Thursday, February 21st through Sunday, February 24th, the show features gorgeous display gardens and vignettes along with lectures, seminars, vendors, and children’s activities. Presenters include Kevin O’Connor, host of This Old House; Karen Daubmann, Director of Exhibitions for the New York Botanical Garden; Scot Medbury, President of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden; Kerry Ann Mendez, garden consulant, and several other experts.

Each day from 1-6 PM, sample the best bites from local restaurants and more than 100 wines from around the world at the Food & Wine Festival in the fifth floor ballroom. Featured presenters include Sara Moulton, host of Sara’s Weeknight Meals on PBS; Frank Terranova, JWU chef educator; Ciril Hitz, JWU chef educator; Nemo Bolin, chef and proprietor of Cook & Brown Public House; and Bob Burke, owner of Pot Au Feu, among others. Tickets are sold separately for this 21+ event.

Find ticket information at flowershow.com. You can buy them at the door or at local AAA branches in advance, including the downtown office at 55 Dorrance. You may also buy tickets at Thetreecenter.com for the Taste of the Flower Show Preview Party on February 20th from 6-8 PM, benefiting the Rhode Island Community Food Bank.

Enjoy this short taste of spring before we get to experience the real thing!

(Photo: James Jones, 2012)