PROGRAMS
Experience the BLOOM programs that celebrate community connections, creativity and environmental education, as well as the service and works of many organizations that contribute to make our community a more beautiful place. Preview some program highlights below, and check out the schedule of shows and events.
Discover COMMUNITY IN BLOOM miniature gardens that tell stories and share inspirations. Featuring finalists and select works from the COMMUNITY IN BLOOM initiatives, these collections of individual miniature gardens will celebrate and attractively reflect our community and its diverse strengths and heritages.
Participate in parades, events of interest, and enjoy wonderful shows on stage featuring talents from our community and beyond. Dances, music, string quartet, chorus, bands, sing-along... will fill you with spring time joy and festivity. Check out the EVENT SCHEDULE..
Visit the BASF Living Acres area and interact with live, flying MONARCH BUTTERFLIES. While you enjoy the flutter of their wings, learn about what you can do to help us in our mission to protect our pollinators.
Come participate in the BLOOM PUBLIC ARTS project! Draw art, improvise a poem or share a message on blank spaces of each of the five letter art stands. See the collective, diverse art expressions of our community. Special thanks to CAROLYN GUAN for her art installation.
BLOOM FEST’s organizer, WE SENSE, welcomes guests to decorate colorful 24" paper parasols and become part of the mobile pieces of art in downtown Chapel Hill. Join hundreds of others in displaying decorated parasols for a spring art spectacular! Get in line early for FREE flower pompoms and face painting. Pick a spring design that matches your style! Come dressed in your butterfly wings and spring costumes for a complete festive feel!
PAPERHAND PUPPET INTERVENTION will be at Bloom Fest this year! Your friendly neighborhood puppeteers will be roving with some of your favorite characters from the award winning troupe’s colorful creative past. Celebrating 20 years, Paperhand is a local treasure that brings delight and wonder, inspiration and magic to the Triangle and the world. They will also have a booth at Bloom Fest that you can visit and find out how to be involved and see the puppets up close.
The CHAPEL HILL GARDEN CLUB invites the children of our community to learn about a bean growing project which the children can take home with them and try. A large floral board with face cutouts will be available for parents to take pictures of their children. From 2-3 pm, several garden club members will demonstrate simple but elegant table designs which you can make for your home. They will also discuss the materials needed and where you can purchase them. Pictures of the April 25-26, 2020 Garden Tour gardens will also be displayed.Gail Norwood's garden, photo courtesy of Daphne McLeod
Visit KIDZU at Bloom Fest and “grow” into a true Guardian of the Garden! Be one of the first in town to explore its outdoor Discovery Packs, make and enjoy color changing Fairy Tea, learn what makes a bee “buzz” and how to make your own bee hotel at home. Before you go, make a bee or lady bug antennae hat for photo ops in the KIDZU Garden Selfie Station! While at the Festival, don’t miss KIDZU on stage for a special story time and take a Fairy-led Guardian of the Garden pledge!
Come to the ACKLAND ART MUSEUM's Bloom Fest booth to make a drawing of flowers, create flower sculptures from Squishy Circuits, and join in a flower-themed scavenger hunt. Join the ACKLAND ART MUSEUM for a flower-inspired Family and Friends Sunday! Pop over to 101 S. Columbia St. from 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm. Admission is free. Featured photo: Courtesy of Ben McKeown Photography
BLAWESOME is a small part of a larger movement known as Social Care Farming, which uses the process of farming to provide vocational, educational, and social support to vulnerable populations. Visit BLAWESOME at Bloom Fest for their exhibit, story, and to learn more about their signature “Good Karma Bouquets.” The farm team is creating a not-to-miss Carolina-themed floral archway installation for "blawesome" celebration and photo opportunities.
Come plant your own miniature garden with REDAPPLE LEARNING CAMPUS! Fill the petite pot with a blooming plant, garden mix and finish it with creative decorations. Choose from a variety of Asian-style garden art accessories. Take your miniature garden home and watch it grow.
Dedicated to training dancers and instilling a deeper understanding of dance arts in our community since 1995, the TRIANGLE YOUTH BALLET is presenting ballet performances inspired by flowers! Its Artistic Director Lauren Lorentz de Haas, Associate Director Kate Currin and youth ballerinas welcome you to experience the TRIANGLE YOUTH BALLET booth featuring mini ballet classes, make and take your own tiara and photo opportunities with ballerinas in its floral selfie station! Featured Photo: Courtesy of Steve Clarke Photography
NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION is introducing its WILDFLOWER PROGRAM and NC SCENIC BYWAY to Bloom Fest audience. Learn about the attractions and the effort to enhance our state's natural beauty and environment. Take home a packet of Wildflower Mix to plant in the spring. Discover other scenic resources -history, culture, archaeology, nature, recreation - in North Carolina.
Members of the TRIANGLE ORCHID SOCIETY will display a variety of orchid species and hybrids that are suitable for growing in local greenhouses or homes. We'll also be happy to answer any orchid care questions you might have; like when and how to repot your orchid, and how much you should be watering based on your particular conditions.
Engage with the Circulator, CHAPEL HILL PUBLIC LIBRARY’s pop-up library service. We’ll have stories and activities exploring color and the natural world around us. Play a game, pick up a book, and join us for colorful fun throughout the day.
Come taste the flowers and honey at the CHAPEL HILL FARMERS' MARKET at Bloom Fest. We'll have fresh market samples including edible flowers and local honey! Market vendors will bring potted plants, honey and plant based body care. You can view a live bee hive and enjoy the bounty from your local farmers.
Ni Hao, come visit CHA HOUSE's stand for flower based tea like Jasmine green milk tea, Lavender milk tea with brown sugar boba. Influenced by the tastes and traditions of Taiwan, CHA HOUSE welcomes you to sample their authentic Taiwanese street snack, popcorn chicken.