Peace, love, and lava lamps…oh my! The Coronado Flower Show is turning back the clock for its Saturday night party, so pull out your florals and fringe! It all takes place on Saturday, April 13th under the tents at Spreckels Park from 6:30-9:30pm.
“This year’s flower show theme ‘Flower Power: Looking Back to 1969,’ so we did spin-off of that, and made the party theme ‘Peace, Love, and Flowers,’” explains Colby Erickson Freer, co-chair of the Bloom Bash along with Sara Stillman. “We envision a glammed-up Woodstock…flowers in your hair, toes in the grass.”
Guests will be treated to live acoustic music from Matt Heinecke as they enter the tents, where they will pick up their tasting cards and drink tickets. The area’s top restaurants will be serving up their finest nosh, including Poke 123, Il Fornaio, Attitude Brewing, Saiko Sushi, Miguels, BBQ Boss, Lobster West, and more.
Coronado Brewing Company is pouring beer, and High Tide Bottle Shop and Kitchen will pop bottles of fine wine. In addition, Liberty Public Distillery is mixing up a surprise craft cocktail, just for the event!
You’ll also find a “Braid Bar” by Salon de Ville, and don’t forget to pick up a flower crown from the Coronado Flower Lady.
“Girls are encouraged to wear their hair down so they can take advantage of the glamorous, hippie-chick hair treatment,” says Colby.
Can it get any better? Oh yes…it can.
Other whisperings include: a lava lamp section, a teepee village, a VW Bus photo opp and some creative, Woodstock-era seating. Does this sound amazing or what?
And of course you can’t have a peace, love and flowers-themed party without some killer 60s and 70s music! Never 2L8 will take the stage and perform tried-and-true classics like “I Will Survive,” “Sweet Caroline,” and of course some Janis, Zeppelin and the Stones.
“I’ve done a fair amount of riding in some flower power VW bugs and buses in my day,” said Chris Nurding of Never 2L8. “This theme fits our set list nicely. But we’ll also play a few newer, more contemporary songs for the younger attendees.”
After all, it’s about bringing everyone together, right?
Co-chair Sara Stillman is excited for this year’s theme, and emphasizes the spirit of togetherness.
‘The themes of peace, music and flowers are some of the most prolific from 1969, and will fit perfectly within the tents of the Flower Show as well as the Bloom Bash,” says Sara. “Our goal is to bring generations together to celebrate, so this theme ties in wonderfully.”
Sara—who also works as a fourth grade teacher at Christ Church Day School—still remembers entering the Flower Show when she was younger.
“My mom still has my first place ribbon from my entry in the children’s miniature section,” says Sara. “I love coming back year after year to see the flowers and horticulture that Coronado puts on display.”
Colby—a mother of two who works as a Senior Loan Officer at Griffin Funding—also has fond Flower Show memories.
“It was always so magical when the tents went up in the park,” says Colby. “It always seemed so huge, it was its own kind of wonderland. I always loved the ‘dark’ tent, and the section with all the fruit animals.”
Colby takes the home front judging very seriously, and surprised her husband Brad with her zealous approach to gardening when they moved into their first home on I Avenue.
“I told Brad I had to get our front lawn ready for the Flower Show, and he was like, ‘what?’” said Colby. “I went to Home Depot, and spent way too much money, and I put out all these flowers, and I was out there for hours digging in the dirt. When I was done, Brad was like, ‘wow, I love that you have to do this!’ And I think we got a blue—or was it a red—ribbon that year.”
Sara also loves the spirit of beautification that the Flower Show brings to the island.
“I get so excited when I see people gardening and putting out flowers in their yard,” said Sara. “It’s amazing that each year, Coronado comes together to celebrate the Flower Show, one of our longest running traditions. It’s part of what makes our small town so wonderful!”
Sara and Colby say they’ve been getting lots of help from their Bloom Bash committee, and members of Coronado Junior Women’s Club.
“Being a part of the Flower Show allows me to help carry on a beloved tradition that I was lucky enough to have as a child,” said Sara. “I want to do my part to make sure future generations will share the same experience, and hopefully add a little fun with parties like Bloom Bash along the way!”
Tickets for the Bloom Bash are on sale now for $45 at https://coronadoflowershow.com/bloom-bash/
Buy your tickets soon, because the event is expected to sell out! The Bloom Bash ends at 9:30pm, but for those who want to continue to celebrate togetherness, an after-party is “in the works,” according to Colby.
Not sure what to wear? Check out the fashion inspo below! Thanks for reading, and see you at the Bloom Bash!
