Both days of the Mart, there were a myriad of performances, most of them free to the public.   Music, dance and special events make Flower Mart Washington’s favorite springtime family festival. For a complete listing of events and performers, refer to our Program printed by the NW Current which is available after April 20th in DC homes, at select Maryland locations, at the Herb Cottage and of course, Flower Mart. Just a few of the performers will be:

• Performances by Schools located on the grounds of Washington National Cathedral (Beauvoir, National Cathedral School for Girls and St. Albans). These artists included choral performances, hand bells, dancers, an orchestra, jazz bands, string and wind ensembles, a percussion band and barber shop quartet.
• Onion Patch Boys are always a favorite with their toe-tapping bluegrass music on Saturday.
• Ukrainian Dancing and Music will fill the air—both days. Among the artist appearing - the Syzokryli and Voloshky Ukrainian Dance Ensembles plus Vasyl Popadiuk renowned violinist.
• Tower Climbs—Take a strenuous climb for a beautiful city view. Climb the 333 steps to the dizzying heights of the bell-ringing chamber in the great Central Tower of Washington National Cathedral, 300 feet above the ground. Hear a demonstration of the bells and learn about the architecture of the Cathedral. The Tower is open to the public only once or twice a year. Tower Climbs will be featured both days of Flower Mart—Friday, May 7, 12:30-4:00 pm and Saturday, May 8—10 am to 3:30 pm (except noon) every half hour. $10 per person.
• Self-guided Tours of the medieval Bishop’s Garden and the beautiful Olmsted Woods and Amphitheater. No registration needed. Pickup your brochure guide at the Herb Cottage.
• Inside the Cathedral, the beautiful “Flowers Around the World” make the Nave even more breath-taking. Floral displays created by Washington Embassies give you a rare look at countries around the world through flowers. Viewing the displays, both days of the Mart - Free.

Many more events and performances are in the planning stages now. Please check this website from time to time for more up-to-date information.

Almost 90 booths!— food and gift vendors as well as horticultural booths will encircle the Cathedral reminiscent of medieval days. Here are just a few of the new and returning gift vendors who will be at Flower Mart:

Just Some of the New Vendors who came to Flower Mart this Year!

• All of Us: Sells homemade soup mixes, dips, and muffins mixes. (Anyone who has been to the Junior League knows about this vendor!)
• Leesburg Gardens—A wonderful assortment of flowers, plants, produce, hand-made pottery and gifts for gardeners.
• Truly Yours: Wraps, women's sandals and shoes by Alegria, and jewelry.
• Smathers & Branson—100 percent hand-stitched needlepoint belts and accessories with fun motifs (including schools and zip codes).
• Wooden Tile—Beautiful floral designs on limited-edition wooden tiles (wall art), matted prints, stationery and pendants

Favorite Vendors Back this Year!

• Blue Eyed Susan—Irresistible, fun shopping including stationery, totes, accessories and gift items.
• Bohemian Crafts—Sells tutus and dress-up, purses, headbands and bows, sand toys and wooden toys
• Candy Beads Jewelry—Stunning gemstone jewelry in 18-Kt and sterling silver.
• Linens of Provence—French tablecloths, aprons, bread baskets and pottery.
• Moore's Candies - Award winning chocolates
• Horticulture Booths - will feature everything from perennial plants, orchids, ceramic pots, to bonsai trees and exotic plants
  

Perennial Favorites

• The Silent Auction Booth—this eagerly awaited booth had donated items: treasures from the White Elephant Sale, restaurants, sports tickets and services to bid on. The bargains were fabulous!
• Of course, our White Elephant Booth and Used Books Sale are Flower Mart standbys that always draw a crowd.
• Flowers, Plants and Herbs flourish

Food Booths are too numerous to mention them all. Just suffice it to say, you will not go home hungry from Flower Mart. There will be everything from traditional festival foods, barbecue, pizza to chocolate covered strawberries and lobster rolls served both days.  A light Ukrainian Lunch or Tea was served at Sayre House on South Road.

Entertainment For Children

• All Hallows Guild’s antique carousel is set up for Flower Mart each year and is a favorite of young and old. Lovingly restored, each hand-painted animal is a work of art with special significance.
• All Hallows Guild Master Puppeteers present a whimsical show, with charming puppets, based on Ukrainian fairy tale entitled The Enchanted Frog.  The all-volunteer puppeteers have been working together for 40-plus years to delight Flower Mart audiences. Each year the show’s theme reflects the overall theme of Flower Mart. Children under 12 years of age, $1.; adults $2.
• Children’s Games and Rides include a cake walk, a giant slide, games and mechanical rides (such as: Twister, the Tubs of Fun and self-propelled Dixie Jr. Whirly Bird, Dixie Jr. Ferris Wheel). A Moon bounce and two climbing walls will also be available. Rides and Games are ticketed. Run by parent volunteers from Beauvoir—the Cathedral’s Elementary School.
• Terri Bender, Organ Grinder, and friends delight the tiny tots both days

More Flower Mart pictures to View & Download in the Flower Mart Photo Gallery >