South Florida will be abloom from Friday, March 8 to Sunday, March 10 at the 11th Annual International Orchid Festival at the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. The gardens are the perfect setting to exhibit more than 10,000 traditional and rare orchid plants ensuring the event will be a visual and fragrant delight.

The event has something of interest for everyone including walking tours of the Orchid Plaza in the Rain Forest, Wings of the Tropics and the Tropical Fruit Conservatories, along with garden workshops, expert tips on growing orchids and a poetry reading by Jo-Anne Gardner, author of Butterfly Words on Saturday and Sunday.

During the three day festival, you have access to Interactive discussions and lectures by guest speakers from the American Orchid Society, University of Florida, Orchid Society of Coral Gables, Coalition of Orchid Species and the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission. There's something for the children, too. OrKids at the Kidway has educational displays, discussions about the mysteries and products of the rain forest, face painting and arts and crafts projects.

Entertainment

While perusing the delicate colors, scents and textures of available orchids offered by vendors from all parts of the world, you will see live performances each day from several groups as well as music from the Seraphic Fire's Miami Choral Academy from 10:00 am to 11:30 am on Saturday.

At the quaint Orchid Tea Room, enjoy live music while sipping a cup of your choice of tea from a delightful selection of flavors along with fresh scones and specialty desserts. Reservations are accepted for the tea room.

After shopping for new orchid plants and a stop at the tea room, make your way to the Edible Garden featuring vanilla orchids where you can learn from an expert all about how to grow your own vanilla plant and its many uses. Be sure to save room for a delectable vanilla smoothie.

The International Orchid Festival provides three days of expert tips, workshops, entertainment, food and drink and thousands of orchids set amid an eco-friendly landscape designed for garden enthusiasts.