This year’s Floriade Festival will take visitors on a trip down memory lane through the theme of “Pop Culture”.
Executive Producer of Floriade, Vickii Cotter said the 2018 focus will be on delivering an exciting, diverse, innovative program that will be “blooming wonderful”.
“Festival-goers will be treated to an exciting array of retro-inspired flowerbeds showcasing some of the twentieth century’s most iconic figures in music, film, literature and social media,” Ms Cotter said.
“With something for everyone, people can expect Marilyn Monroe and Ken Done-inspired creations alongside beds dedicated to Grug, the Rubik’s Cube and what’s sure to be a crowd favourite, Where’s Wally.”
She said NightFest, Floriade’s ticketed after-dark experience, would return, from 26 September to 30 September.
“Commonwealth Park will come to life after dark with illuminated flowerbeds, a line-up of local drink and food stalls, nightly entertainment and dazzling lighting installations,” Ms Cotter said.
She said that on the Wednesday night, Stage 88 would transform into an open-air cinema.
“Floriade wraps up on Sunday, 14 October with the always popular Dogs’ Day Out, featuring a superhero dress-up pop culture theme,” Ms Cotter said.
“All pups, big and small, are invited to soak up the sunshine and explore Floriade with special pup-friendly activities and entertainment throughout the day.”
Developed in 1988 as a one-off floral tribute to mark Australia’s Bicentenary and Canberra’s 75th anniversary, Floriade has now become Canberra’s most iconic annual tourism event, with close to half a million local, interstate and international visitors enjoying it each year.
Floriade 2018 will run from 15 September to 14 October.
