Flower Day
Flower Day 2010: Sunday, May 16th
Attended by more than 150,000 people annually, Flower Day at the Eastern Market is one of the largest flower shows in the country. Members of the Metro Detroit Flower Growers Association (MDFGA), and hundreds of flower growers from Michigan, Canada and neighboring states fill the market with their colorful array offerings. Over 15-acres of the highest quality annuals, perennials, foliage, shrubbery, trees, exotics, tropical plants, flats, hanging baskets and more will be available for purchase.
Welcome to Flower Day
On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Eastern Market Corporation, I would like to extend a hearty welcome to Eastern Market and hope you enjoy the 43rd Flower Day presented by the Metropolitan Detroit Flower Growers Association.
Flower Day is the unofficial kick off to summer in southeast Michigan, the largest event held annually at Eastern Market, and one of Detroit's proudest traditions or in Red Wing terms - the ultimate hat trick!
The renovations to Shed 3 continue the makeover of Eastern Market. Building upon tradition and positioning Eastern Market for greater success in the years ahead, the investment of more than $50 million over the next ten years is intended to improve the Eastern Market campus and enhance our role in providing fresh locally grown food and quality landscape materials to the greater Detroit region
Flower Day is our largest event, but we strive to make every Saturday an event by expanding and improving product offerings, hosting lively cooking demonstrations by area chefs, presenting a wide variety of entertainment, and including more community groups as we program more activities for people of all ages.
Have a great Flower Day and a great summer at Eastern Market.
Dan Carmody President
The Metropolitan Detroit Flower Growers are excited to have you share in the 43rd annual Flower Day at the Historic Eastern Market. Every shopper will be amazed by the color, variety and beauty that will ooze out of the sheds at the largest open market in Michigan.
The Flower Growers have compiled a list and location of vendors and flowers and plants to make your journey through Flower Day more convenient and efficient.
1) There is plenty of free parking available throughout Eastern Market. The map in the Metro Times easily directs you in and out of the market.
2) Know ahead of time how much area that you have to plant and whether you need sun or shade plants to achieve your goal.
3) Ask your Flower Grower Questions! They grew the flowers for you and they know what you need to do to take care of them and keep them blooming.
4) Enjoy the wide variety of restaurants, stores and food. Your belly will thank you for caring.
5) Bring a wagon, to help transport your products and don't forget to decorate your wagon to enter into the WACKY WAGON CONTEST to win garden prizes.
6) Don't rush ... Take your time and smell the roses, marigolds, jasmine, herbs, etc. Enjoy the music and the people.
Our best advice is to take it all in, don't miss the moment and come enjoy the breathtaking view.
Flower Day is one of the most exciting, captivating and memorable shopping experiences you will ever have. Bring your family, wagon and Metro Times guide and make it a great family event.
We can't wait to meet you.
Grow On!!
Other Activities at Flower Day
Children's Merry Market Land 9AM - 4PM
Flower Day at the Eastern Market is a family affair! Located on the north end of the Market, the children's Merry Market Land, includes face-painting, clowns, train rides, flower pot painting, hands-on activities, butterfly habitat, a farm animal corral and crafts for kids of all ages. Free!
Wacky Wagon Contest 7AM - 12PM
Decorate your wagons and enter them into the Wacky Wagon Contest on Flower Day! The 11th Annual Wacky Wagon Contest, sponsored by WWJ Newsradio 950, will feature prizes for the Most Entertaining Wagon, the Most Creative Wagon and the wagon that best represents Spirit of Flower Day. Prizes include an array of gardening items donated by Metropolitan Detroit Flower Growers Association. Entry is free! Winners will be announced at 12:30PM.
Ask the Experts 8AM - 4PM
Experts from the Michigan State University Extension Master Gardeners and the Southeast Michigan Council of Governance (SEMCOG) will be on-site at Flower Day to answer questions about gardening, planting vegetables, flowers and trees and water quality.
Eastern Market Flower Day Pick Up/Drop Off Service
Locations: Wilkins & Russell; Market & Adelaide
Don't want to carry all those plants, flowers and flats to your car? Eastern Market offers a parcel pick-up service for shoppers at two strategic locations. Customers can check their purchases at the staffed booths and when they are done shopping they may drive right up to the booth to load their purchases into their car. Market volunteer staff will be available to help customers load their purchases. Free!
Flower Day Craft Fair
Looking for that perfect lawn ornament, garden accessory or planter box, then this is the place for you. Artisans and crafters will offer their wares at Flower Day on Winder Street between Russell and Market Streets.
All Activities and Entertainment are Free and Open to the Public!
Flower Day Dining
Flower Day shopping can definitely build-up an appetite. Eastern Market is ready to satisfy your hunger with its impressive mix of restaurants, featuring all types of food including Coney Islands, Thai, American, Barbecue, Italian and more. In addition, special restaurants and food vendors will also be on site selling their specialties. Relax, people watch and enjoy the marketplace at one of the outdoor seating areas located throughout the Market.
Restaurants
Bert's Market Place
Butcher's Inn
Cutter's Inn
Farmers Restaurant
Louie's Ham & Corned Beef
Mike's Pita & Grill
Milano Bakery
Roma Café
Russell Street Deli
Sala Thai Restaurant
Supino Pizzeria
Taste of Ethiopia
Vivio's Food & Spirits
Zeff 's Coney Island
Directions to Eastern Market
FROM THE NORTH:
Take I-75 S to the Mack Avenue exit. Go east (turn left) onto Mack Avenue. Take Mack Avenue to Russell Street and turn right.
FROM THE EAST:
Take I-94 W to I-75 S to the Mack Avenue exit. Go east (turn left) onto Mack Avenue. Take Mack Avenue to Russell Street and turn right.
FROM THE SOUTH:
Take I-75 N to the Mack Avenue exit. Go east (turn right) on Mack
Avenue. Take Mack Avenue to Russell Street and turn right.
FROM THE WEST:
Take 1-94 E to 1-75 S to the Mack Avenue exit. Go east (turn left) onto Mack Avenue. Take Mack Avenue to Russell Street and turn right.
PARKING
There is plenty of free and low-cost parking in the Eastern Market. In addition to the surface lots and on-street parking, the City of Detroit Parking Department operates a 300-car parking deck on Riopelle Street between Division and Alfred.
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