Gnome, Sweet Gnome
Floriade’s official mascot has arrived at Canberra Airport and we can not think of a better way to celebrate Floriade than a giant pink Gnome.
Local artists, husband and wife Peter and Jenny Filmer, and son, Geoff, the team behind Graffikpaint, were commissioned to create the 2.5m-high, 20 kilo gnome, which was hand-carved from high-density foam and fibreglass. He took more than 500 hours to create.
After a city-wide search for a name, it was announced today and Floriade’s first ever giant gnome will be now known as Floyd.
Floriade is Canberra’s month-long celebration of spring, and is the largest flower festival in the Southern Hemisphere featuring more than one million blooms including a program of horticulture workshops, music, cultural celebrations, food and wine, market traders and entertainment. Those looking for an after-dark extravaganza, can visit NightFest from 3 – 6 October. As the sun sets, Commonwealth Park becomes an illuminated wonderland as the garden beds are lit with cutting-edge light installations transforming, while night markets, live music, comedians and DJs provide plenty of fun for the whole family.
And the fun will begin for Floyd too. He will be busy when his official duties begin visiting the following Canberra suburbs:
Gungahlin Town Square, Gozzard St on Saturday, September 14, from 12pm and 3pm Emu Inlet, Beissel St, Belconnen on Saturday, September 21, from 12pm and 3pm Tuggeranong Town Park, Bartlett Place on Saturday, September 28 from 12pm and 3pm Molonglo Valley Markets at Stromlo Cottage on Sunday, September 29 from 10am and 3pm Woden Town Square on Saturday, October 5 from 12pm and 3pm
Floriade and NightFest, Commonwealth Park, Canberra from 14 September – 13 October.