Latest news with #FlowerFestival
Shafaq News
17-05-2025
- General
- Shafaq News
Green awareness on the rise: Erbil flower festival blooms with record crowds
Shafaq News/ Erbil's annual Flower Festival entered its third day on Saturday, drawing growing crowds and vibrant displays in a public park, as the city showcases a renewed push toward environmental awareness and urban greening. Organized by the Erbil Gardens and Parks Department, the event features over 5,000 varieties of plants and trees presented by nearly 100 local nurseries and horticulture businesses from across the Kurdistan Region. The festival includes sections dedicated to ornamental plants, seasonal flowers, and home gardening supplies. Participants say public interest has noticeably increased this year. Sundus, a vendor specializing in houseplants, told Shafaq News that "more people are embracing indoor gardening and understanding its value." Darin, who runs a women-led flower cultivation project, said the turnout has exceeded expectations, offering a platform to highlight locally grown blooms. Othman, a garden design professional, noted that visitors are engaging not only with plants for decoration but also for their role in improving well-being. 'It's encouraging to see a deeper appreciation for the environmental and psychological benefits of greenery,' he shared with our agency. The festival aims to promote sustainable practices, support local horticulture, and integrate green culture into urban living. Kurdistan Region's Minister of Municipalities and Tourism, Sasan Awni, stated that the event highlights a broader initiative to develop green infrastructure and engage both the public and private sectors in environmental stewardship and beautification within city centers.
Listly
17-05-2025
- Listly
5 Popular Traditional Festivals in Thailand: Vibrant Celebrations of Culture
Unlike most of the other festivals in the country, the Flower Festival, held every year in Chiang Mai, is not overtly religious or spiritual. Instead, it is hosted as a celebration of the city's floral diversity and beauty, through various flower decorations, exhibitions and sales. The highlight is the large Flower Parade that begins around 8 in the morning and showcases elaborately decorated floats accompanied by traditional dancers and marching bands. The parade often ends at a public park where visitors can continue admiring the floral floats as well as additional attractions like floral sculptures, exhibitions and various cultural performances. If you're in the city at the time of the festival, you'll have no shortage of sights to see and things to do in Chiang Mai.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Wiltshire in Pictures: Stunning Salisbury blooms
Continued good weather has made for some good snaps this week - but a Wiltshire resident has also been in the presence of royalty and another has celebrated her 111th birthday. Salisbury Cathedral's Flower Festival has seen the ancient space filled with stunning and creative blooms and displays. Wrestling's return delighted a crowd in Swindon, and a new hotshot has signed for Chippenham Town. Floral bonanza: Salisbury Cathedral's Flower Festival is on this week, finishing on Sunday. This year the event is called The Spirit of Water. More than 500 arrangers put together more than 30,000 blossoms for the festival, which was expected to attract about 15,000 visitors. Returning hero. Having trained in the town many years ago at the renowned 4FW (Four Front Wrestling) training, Eddie Ryan returned last weekend as the reigning Kingdom Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Champion. Known as 'The English Lion', he was part of the line-up at the Deanery Theatre (below). Royal recognition: Steve Coles, 72 from Melksham, has been helping young people by volunteering for the Duke of Edinburgh Award for 55 years, partly through his work with the sea cadets too. This week, he got to meet His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh at a Buckingham Palace celebration. Time for tea: A group that helps tackle loneliness has just celebrated 50 years of monthly tea parties. The Royal Wootton Bassett group of Re-engage has so far held 600 tea parties, prepared more than 7,000 scones, eaten at least 10,000 egg sandwiches and sipped more than 12,000 cups of tea. Rising star: Year 10 pupil at Lawn Manor Academy in Swindon, Bubacarr, has signed for Chippenham Town. He spent five weeks on trial before being offered a contract - the fastest time any player has done this for the club's under-16s team. He currently plays as a striker for Swindon Town Football Club's Boys advanced team, recently scoring seven goals in a tournament in Barcelona. A contrasting scene; Weather watcher Katrina captured a brief moment of dark cloud over Salisbury's water meadows and cathedral in what was otherwise a sunny day. Very big birthday: Anne Baker has been celebrating her 111th birthday as the oldest woman in Wiltshire. Her son David told the BBC it is not as easy for her to converse anymore but she is still sharp, often solving crossword clues. Mental health week: Swindon & Gloucestershire Mind organised a number of events for the national awareness week, including an art activity at Gorse Hill, Swindon. Wonderful weeds: Considered a pest by some, the beauty of thistles was captured by weather watcher Thistledown with this photograph of a sea of purple flowers in Great Bedwyn. Evening strolls: As the days become longer, it has become a little easier to take moon pictures and warmer for a walk too, as weather watcher Nelly PS did in Froxfield. Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Wiltshire in Pictures: VE Day and bank holiday sun Wiltshire in Pictures: Sunshine and school success Wiltshire in Pictures: Flowers and Easter flames Wiltshire in pics: Magical murals and an Easter donkey Wiltshire in Pictures: Blossoms and celebrations Wiltshire in pictures: Sun, wonky roads and pigeons Wiltshire in Pictures: Let the music play Wiltshire in pics: Spring equinox and indoor moon Wiltshire in pics: cows, Crufts and challenges Wiltshire in pictures: Sunshine and Shrove Tuesday Wiltshire in pictures: Crocuses and a tiny newt Wiltshire in pictures: Bird life and art hunt Wiltshire in Pictures: Romance in the animal world Wiltshire in Pics: Football, floods and remembrance Wiltshire in Pictures: Tunnels, murals and sunrises Wiltshire in Pictures: Toothbrushes, tigers and barges Wiltshire in pictures: animals enjoying the snow Wiltshire in pictures: Cold snap brings frosty scenes Wiltshire in pictures: Presents, bats and meerkats Wiltshire in Pictures: Star Wars and 'Fudgehenge' Wiltshire in Pics: Prince William and Storm Bert Wiltshire in pictures: Remembrance and light shows Wiltshire in pictures: Royal visit and mason's award Wiltshire in pictures: Halloween and sacred stones Wiltshire in pictures: Daleks, bats and pigs Wiltshire in pictures: Welcoming the troops home In pictures: Dragons, cows and Jane Austen Wiltshire in pictures: Culture and murals Wiltshire in pictures: Spinal tattoos to air tattoos Wiltshire in pictures: Exotic animals and Stonehenge Wiltshire in pictures: Silhouettes and bras Wiltshire in pictures: Reunions, sunflowers and maize Wiltshire in pictures: New sports hub and wartime cakes
BBC News
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Wiltshire in pictures: Salisbury flowers and Swindon wrestling
Continued good weather has made for some good snaps this week - but a Wiltshire resident has also been in the presence of royalty and another has celebrated her 111th Cathedral's Flower Festival has seen the ancient space filled with stunning and creative blooms and return delighted a crowd in Swindon, and a new hotshot has signed for Chippenham Town. Floral bonanza: Salisbury Cathedral's Flower Festival is on this week, finishing on Sunday. This year the event is called The Spirit of Water. More than 500 arrangers put together more than 30,000 blossoms for the festival, which was expected to attract about 15,000 visitors. Returning hero. Having trained in the town many years ago at the renowned 4FW (Four Front Wrestling) training, Eddie Ryan returned last weekend as the reigning Kingdom Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Champion. Known as 'The English Lion', he was part of the line-up at the Deanery Theatre (below). Royal recognition: Steve Coles, 72 from Melksham, has been helping young people by volunteering for the Duke of Edinburgh Award for 55 years, partly through his work with the sea cadets too. This week, he got to meet His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh at a Buckingham Palace celebration. Time for tea: A group that helps tackle loneliness has just celebrated 50 years of monthly tea parties. The Royal Wootton Bassett group of Re-engage has so far held 600 tea parties, prepared more than 7,000 scones, eaten at least 10,000 egg sandwiches and sipped more than 12,000 cups of tea. Rising star: Year 10 pupil at Lawn Manor Academy in Swindon, Bubacarr, has signed for Chippenham Town. He spent five weeks on trial before being offered a contract - the fastest time any player has done this for the club's under-16s team. He currently plays as a striker for Swindon Town Football Club's Boys advanced team, recently scoring seven goals in a tournament in Barcelona. A contrasting scene; Weather watcher Katrina captured a brief moment of dark cloud over Salisbury's water meadows and cathedral in what was otherwise a sunny day. Very big birthday: Anne Baker has been celebrating her 111th birthday as the oldest woman in Wiltshire. Her son David told the BBC it is not as easy for her to converse anymore but she is still sharp, often solving crossword clues. Mental health week: Swindon & Gloucestershire Mind organised a number of events for the national awareness week, including an art activity at Gorse Hill, Swindon. Wonderful weeds: Considered a pest by some, the beauty of thistles was captured by weather watcher Thistledown with this photograph of a sea of purple flowers in Great Bedwyn. Evening strolls: As the days become longer, it has become a little easier to take moon pictures and warmer for a walk too, as weather watcher Nelly PS did in Froxfield.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Mother's Day weekend: Where to treat Mom in the Seattle area
This story was originally published on Mother's Day Weekend is here, and the top priority should be spending time with Mom and the moms in your life, but if you still need ideas on what to do, we've got you covered! Pick the perfect bouquet at the Flower Festival at Pike Place Market. There will be 35 local farmers selling, and there will be live music all day. This is going down on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. In Capitol Hill this weekend, it is Pierogi Fest. In addition to tons of tasty food to enjoy, there will also be Polish clothes for sale, a beer garden, and a performance from a Polish choir. This is going on at the Polish Cultural Center from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday. In the Beacon Hill neighborhood on Saturday, you can check out the first of four Beacon Arts Street Fairs. It's free to attend and it's all about Mother's Day. There will be music from female-led bands, poetry writing, family fun like story time, art projects and dance workshops, plus food, an art market and a garden share for those working on your yards. In Edmonds at the Frances Anderson Playfield on Saturday, it is the Edmonds Spring Fest. This free all-ages event has over 100 vendors, plenty of food trucks, and the perfect place to find something for Mom. If you want something a little more tranquil for Mom, check out BonsaiFest at the Pacific Bonsai Museum in Federal Way. This event is free, and there will be hundreds of bonsais to check out and appreciate the craft that goes into each one. There will also be live bonsai-making demonstrations and special exhibitions that highlight all things bonsai. You can grab a bonsai for mom, enjoy food trucks and there's fun for the kids as well. Seattle Beer Week is underway starting Friday and running through next week. One of the headline events is Friday night at 5 p.m. at the Beveridge Place Pub, where there will be 10 casks of beer from 10 different Seattle Breweries on tap for people to enjoy. Not to mention events and specials all week long at a ton of spots around Seattle. Don't forget to try the Official Beer of Seattle Beer Week as well, the Group Project. Get more details on all the events and the schedule right here. This is one of the cooler community events of the spring, if you ask me, Saturday in West Seattle is the West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day. Over 500 homes will be hosting sales and if you are looking for something in particular, you can use the helpful search features on the West Seattle Blog to find listed items. At the Evergreen State Fairgrounds on Saturday, you and the family can learn about the wonderful world of reptiles at the Seattle Metro Reptile Expo. This event has been going on since 2009 and for those that are a fan of these creatures, you'll be face to face with reptiles, bugs, arachnids, and amphibians. You can find more details right here. Take your mom out to the ballgame as the red hot Mariners are back in town. The Toronto Blue Jays come to town and there's promo events for every game this weekend. Also, in the world of sports, the Seattle Reign take on the Houston Dash Sunday at 5 p.m. at Lumen Field. Here's an event sent by a listener: The U.S. Air Force Woodwind Quintet is putting on free concerts this weekend, one in Bellingham Friday night at Western Washington University (WWU) at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday on Mercer Island. They are also offering a masterclass at WWU at 5 p.m. before the performance. What are you getting into this weekend? Let me know at paulh@
