2025 Philadelphia Flower Show blooms with fashion, art and breathtaking installations
The Pennsylvania Convention Center has once again transformed into a vibrant floral wonderland for the 196th annual Philadelphia Flower Show, drawing photographers, garden enthusiasts, and fashion-forward visitors eager to embrace the spirit of spring.
For Wade Kirkpatrick and Susannah Foos, the show is more than just an exhibition — it's a creative playground. With a camera in hand, Kirkpatrick captured photos of Foos, in full pink body paint and a wig, dressed as the Greek goddess Persephone.
"The Flower Show means a lot to me because my grandmother was actually a floral, botanical watercolorist," Foos said. "And so I remember coming to the Flower Show — same with Wade — when we were younger."
For some attendees, the show marks a new season in more ways than one. Tanaiyah Dwyer celebrated her 24th birthday at the event.
"New beginnings and a fresh new outlook on life. That's what it means to me!" she said.
Her boyfriend, Leonard Dandridge, said he was surprised by how much he enjoyed it.
"It's amazing. The scenery, the vibes, the air — everything about it!" he said.
This year's show, themed Gardens of Tomorrow, features hundreds of exhibitors, showcasing everything from intricate floral art installations to prize-winning plants, gardening workshops, and handmade flower crowns. But beyond the blooms, fashion has also taken center stage. Visitors arrived dressed in floral patterns, crochet bags, and spring-inspired accessories.
Levin Tilghman, a member of the Philadelphia Cactus and Succulent Society, said the show is a chance to educate and inspire the next generation of gardeners.
"It's really good for them because they see all of these plants that they would never really come into contact with - and it's really fascinating for them," Tilghman said.
Matt Rader, president of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, said that's exactly the goal.
"Number one priority of the Flower Show is to give you a dazzling day of floral beauty," Rader said. "And then hopefully get some ideas and build relationships with friends and family that you come with, and go home supercharged to get your hands dirty and do great things with gardening."
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There's nothing like the Delaware State Fair and its 10 days of entertainment. If comedy and concerts are your thing, this year's lineup on the M&T Bank Grandstand features headliners Riley Green (July 19), Fluffy (July 20), Blues Traveler, Gin Blossoms & Spin Doctors (July 21), CeCe Winans (July 22), Gavin Adcock (July 23) Russell Dickerson with Niko Moon (July 24), T.I. (July 25) and Big & Rich (July 26). Aside from concerts, two other mainstage events are Harness racing Harness Racing (July 17) and the Demolition Derby (July 18). The fair is also known for oodles of amusement rides, games, animals, vendors and other attractions. Not to mention, it usually has weird food like deep-fried Oreos and fried gator. Delaware State Fair (18500 S. Dupont Highway, Harrington) July 17 to 26. General admission tickets are up to $10 in person or $10.50 (online). Concerts on the Grandstand are extra, and prices vary. Visit or call (302) 398-3269. Middletown has a fuzzy memory that it can blame on its Old-Tyme Peach Festival. The 32nd annual festival offers more low-hanging fruit in downtown to give folks a juicy time with a parade, food, pie-eating contest, historical exhibits, music, games, lots of peaches and more. The festival begins with the parade at 8:45 a.m. on Broad Street. The festival will be held downtown Middletown near Broad Street from 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 16. Visit or call (302) 378-7466. Hardcore (and casual) fans of comic books, anime and nerdy pop culture will experience two days of fandom at Blue Hen Comic Con. Visitors can expect to see celebrity guests like Ming Chen from the TV series "Comic Book Men" and Catero Alain Colbert who voiced the character Killer Bee in "Naruto: Shippuden." The comic con will include a cosplay contest, vendors and an artist alley (for buying artwork, comics, collectibles and more), tabletop and video gaming, LARP and RPG experiences, panels and workshops (discussions on comics, anime, gaming and pop culture), plus live entertainment and special events. Delaware State Fairgrounds (644 Road 316, Harrington) from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on both Aug. 16 and 17. Tickets TBA. Visit The third annual Baila Con Dover Latin Festival will honor Latin culture with food, music and community in vibrant fashion. Leg Mall (223 S. Dupont Highway, Dover) from 1 to 8 p.m. Aug. 23. Visit or If you have an interesting story idea, email lifestyle reporter Andre Lamar at alamar@ Consider signing up for his weekly newsletter, DO Delaware, at This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: 23 Delaware festivals in summer 2025: Comic Con and more
