Chicago Flower and Garden Show at Navy Pier, Chicago
Navy Pier celebrates its 100th year anniversary in 2016. We usually go to the Spring flower and garden show every year, but we missed it this year. I so enjoy smelling dirt and flowers in the middle of a Chicago Winter. These pictures are from the 2013 show, but just looking at them, I swear I can smell wafts from the tulips and roses."Built in 1916 as Municipal Pier #2, Navy Pier was planned to serve as a cargo facility for lake freighters and to provide docking space for passenger excursion steamers.
However, with the onset of WWII, the Navy needed much more space for technical training. In August 1941, Navy Pier was closed to the public, and converted to a Navy training center designated to accommodate up to 10,000 service personnel. A large hangar-type building and a drill hall were built on 20 acres just west of the pier. Six days before the attack on Pearl Harbor, classes began for aviation machinist mates, metalsmiths, and diesel mechanics.
In mid-1946, with WWII over, the Navy returned the pier to the City of Chicago. In the four and one-half years under the Navy, over 60,000 servicemen from the U.S. and Allied nations trained at the pier."
http://www.chicagomaritimemuseum.org/archives/navy-pier/
Source |
Today: Celebrating it's 100th year anniversary in 2016, Navy Pier houses: the Chicago Children's Museum, dockings for various Lake Michigan and Chicago River Cruises, 3-D IMAX theatres, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, hosts the Tall Ships, America's Cup (sailing race), various shows, exhibits, cultural and social events, multiple restaurants and shops, and a lots of international kiosks. Parking is below, and the facility is served by the trolley system, buses, taxis, and is a doable walk from the train stations on a really nice day. In the summer heat, the pier is always breezy and cool, jutting out into the lake.
THINK GREEN!
One of the first views in the show, was this great collection of Tulips, all in full bloom. |
oldnewgreenredo |
One of my favorite venues is the tablescapes which incorporated the theme, "An Art-Full Table". Each year some table arrangements are displayed with a theme. Sometimes there are specific culture themed tables, one of my favorites was this Asian inspired table arrangement.
oldnewgreenredo |
oldnewgreenredo |
A unique exhibit of shoe/art, from a group of artists:Women's Journeys in Fiber presented Footwear: Women's Stories. They were all gorgeous and unique. I thought these two caught the flavor of the show.
oldnewgreenredo |
This represented being in the gorgeous outdoors, and also my well-worn boots I wear while gardening. These sandals are so much fun, with natural fibers, cork, and felted flowers.
oldnewgreenredo |
"Cattail Memories on Honey Lake" Julia Rivera
These sandals are so much fun, with natural fibers, cork, and felted flowers.
oldnewgreenredo |
Most of my pictures were of greenery and garden accents. I loved all the welded sculptures made of old machinery parts and castoffs. Perfect DIY projects.
oldnewgreenredo |
This bronze sculpture of a boy flying a flag is perfect for the Windy City. I didn't find the artist's name. As a mother of boys---their exhuberance is aptly depicted. So was the exhuberance of the daffodills. Mine are out of the ground about 4" and just waiting for a warm day.
oldnewgreenredo |
We have a small yard, but our favorites were the water features. Love this quaint Oriental bridge...or is it the bridge over Monet's Giverny pond? This was a sand island, completely surrounded by flowing watercreeks and a huge pond.
oldnewgreenredo |
Hiding beneath the bridge were Koi, too skittish to tread water for a picture.
Piano Waterfall Source |
I love the Papyrus. Mine was so root bound last Fall, I let it die. Four years is a long time to keep a papyrus, hauling it in and out of the cold.
My husband would love to have this going into our small pond under the kitchen window...sigh! Someday, maybe.
oldnewgreenredo |
I love hosta, which we have many. This lime green plant was particularly interesting, not sure if this striped plant was a hosta or in the dracena family. The azaelas to the left were just beginning to bloom. Thirty-foot Pines and Spruce were dragged in and planted into huge mounds of dirt.
oldnewgreenredo |
oldnewgreenredo |
A funky salamander and dragonfly on a lily pad, here...so fun. Love the chippy/rusty look of these among the Huechera/coralbells. We have six varieties in our yard, and I'm always on the lookout for more as we have so much shade.
oldnewgreenredo |
This large bowl pond would be great for any yard or patio. Lots of little fish were hiding in this one.
oldnewgreenredo |
Some sort of daisy here, really not sure, Gerbera or Transval, but they were very fluffy and pale in tones. I love the mini fern underneath. There were lots of miniature plants in the vendor area for fairy gardens.
oldnewgreenredo |
The vendor area was filled with: home improvements, garden ornaments and furniture, kitchenwares, wine, bulbs, plants, statuary and just about everything else.
I half expected to see Dan Akyrod and his "Bass-amatic". But, I always buy some bulbs. It was the fresh flower vendors that took your breath away.
Add caption |
I had edited this picture to make into a card...back before windows10 updated and ruined my photo program. I love the fuzzed out edges and the look of a Parisian flower market, too pretty for words.
Now if you are hungry---Navy Pier has umpteen fine restaurants, and many food vendors and carts. But, what about dessert? The flower show even provided a food contest.
I Spy in the Garden-oldnewgreenredo |
The Art of Gardening oldnewgreenredo |
What could be more fun than a Flower and Garden Shop. Hope you enjoyed the mini-tour at Chicago's Navy Pier.
Thanks always for stopping by, hope Spring has come to your neck-of-the-woods, we are still waiting in the Chicago burbs.
All the opinions and photographs in this blog are my own unless noted. I have not
been paid or reimbursed in anyway for my opinions or posts. Please do not
use photos without linking back to this blog without my permission.
Thank you for your cooperation, Sandi Magle
I'll be sharing at these fine blog parties:
Tuesdays at our Home
Inspiration Monday
Show and Tell Link Party
Creative Mondays
Metamorphisis Monday
What'd You Do this Weekend
Cooking and Crafting with JJ
BTTCG Blog Party
Let's Talk Vintage
Talk of the Town
Wow Us Wednesdays
Share Your Cup Thursday
Share Your Style
Vintage Charm
Tuesdays with a Twist
Best of the Weekend
DIY Sunday Showcase
Inspiration Monday
Show and Tell Link Party
Creative Mondays
Metamorphisis Monday
What'd You Do this Weekend
Cooking and Crafting with JJ
BTTCG Blog Party
Let's Talk Vintage
Talk of the Town
Wow Us Wednesdays
Share Your Cup Thursday
Share Your Style
Vintage Charm
Tuesdays with a Twist
Best of the Weekend
DIY Sunday Showcase
Sandi