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Bloomin’ Lewes family-friendly event to offer art, music, education Aug. 17

August 7, 2019

Bloomin' Lewes, a Celebration of Public Gardens and Art, is set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 17. Lewes in Bloom and Art in Bloom are coordinating the event, made possible by more than 50 dedicated volunteers.

Attendees will tour seven beautiful gardens and watch local plein air artists painting at six of them. All activities are free to the public.

Educational garden activities and tips will be shared at Otis Smith Park, 1812 Park, Mary Vessels Park, the Lewes Post Office, Cannonball House, Fisher-Martin House garden and Zwaanendael Park. All garden sites are in downtown Lewes within easy walking or biking distance of each other.

Lewes in Bloom patrons from each garden will be on hand to answer questions about the plantings. Maps and schedules may be picked up in any of the parks.

Plein air artists will work during the morning and, at 12:30 p.m., bring their completed paintings to Zwaanendael Park when they will be judged. Categories are Best in Show, Best Use of Color, People’s Choice Award and Honorable Mention.

Deanna’s in downtown Lewes is sponsoring the Best in Show Award. After judging, the paintings will be available for sale at 1 p.m. at Zwaanendael Park.

Bill Kenego will play music from 10 a.m. to noon at Mary Vessels Park. Broadkill Folk Music by Daniel Risch will entertain from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Zwaanendael Park.

From 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., adult artists with the Salvation Army’s Developmental Disabilities Program known as Creative heARTs will sell their unique paintings and cards. All proceeds go to the artists and their programs.

Outdoor art activities for children include flower arranging, paper creations, mosaics, face painting and a Buzz About the Bees booth.

A 4-by-4-foot frame has been created for a selfie station with a beautifully landscaped backdrop where attendees can capture a photo of themselves and family and friends.

Refreshments for purchase will be offered by the Zwaanendael Women’s Club. A cart from 2 Dips Ice Cream will also sell cold refreshments throughout the celebration.

Founded in 2002, Lewes in Bloom currently has 250 volunteer members who plant and maintain 17 gardens as well as containers, baskets and planters around Lewes.

The scope of this nonprofit, all-volunteer organization includes educating members on horticulture, a tulip celebration, bused field trips to area public gardens and flower shows, a learning garden for children, and plant and Christmas wreath sale fundraisers to support its projects.

The hardworking volunteers can point with pride to winning several America in Bloom honors, taking first place in 2002, 2005, 2010, and 2015. And the 2018 Communities in Bloom International Challenge winner for medium-sized cities was Lewes.

Art in Bloom is a committee of Lewes in Bloom that has recently installed public art in two Lewes locations. The “Silent Sentinels” are intriguing wind sculptures spinning at the trailhead near the Lewes Public Library. A huge, new historic mural on the bay side of the Beacon Motel near Otis Smith Park on Savannah Road was made possible by a partnership that includes Art in Bloom, the Lingo family and muralist Damon Pla.

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