Celebrating 75th Year, Flower Mart 2014 Set for Friday, Saturday at National Cathedral

Flower Mart, the National Cathedral's annual fundraiser for its gardens and grounds, is set for this coming Friday and Saturday, rain or shine.

The event will feature entertainment and special events both days. Most are free of charge. Expect to pay small fees for puppet shows, carousel rides and children's rides and games. Here's more of what you can expect:

Music and Dance

• Musical performances by the schools located on the grounds of Washington National Cathedral (Beauvoir, National Cathedral School for Girls and St. Albans). These artists include choral performances, hand bells, dancers, an orchestra, jazz bands, string and wind ensembles, a percussion band and barbershop quartet.
• An Australian didgeridoo performer, Cameron McCarthy
• Regensburger Domspatzen (German Men and Boys Choir)
• Karpouzi Trio (traditional Greek instruments)
• Mezeskala Folkdance (translates as "gingerbread" Young Hungarian folkdancers)
• The First Battalion Scots Guard (centuries old - Scottish Pipes and Drums ensemble)
• Taiko Performers (dynamic full-body Japanese drumming)
• Onion Patch Boys (favorite local bluegrass band)
• Andrei Pidkivka and Solomia Gorokhiv (ukranian flutist and violinist/pianist)
  

Special Events

• Tower Climbs— On Saturday, take a strenuous climb for a beautiful city view. Climb the 333 steps to the dizzying heights of the bell-ringing chamber in the great Central Tower of Washington National Cathedral, 300 feet above the ground. Hear a demonstration of the bells and learn about the architecture of the Cathedral. The Tower is open to the public only once or twice a year. Tower Climbs will be featured Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3:30 pm (except noon) every half hour. $10 per person. 

• Self-guided tours of the medieval Bishop’s Garden and the beautiful Olmsted Woods and Amphitheater. No registration needed. Pick up your brochure guide at the Herb Cottage or the All Hallows Guild Booth.
  

• International Floral Displays: Inside the Cathedral, the beautiful “Flowers Around the World” floral displays make the Nave even more breathtaking. Floral arrangements created by Washington embassies give you a rare look at countries around the world through flowers. Viewing the displays, both days of the Mart: Free.

Gift vendors, horticultural booths and Rides and Games will encircle the Cathedral reminiscent of medieval days. More than 80 boutique booths will bring a marvelous selection of gifts.  Many of our vendors return year after year, but new ones are always added. 

Food at the Mart

You will not go home hungry from Flower Mart. There will be everything from traditional festival foods, barbecue, pizza to chocolate covered strawberries, smoothies, Sunshine Catering-grilled delicacies, soft ice cream, funnel cakes, hot dogs, hamburgers, fries and, of course, lobster rolls served both days. The ever-popular Moore's Candies from Baltimore will be celebrating its 24th year at Flower Mart.

• All Hallows Guild’s antique carousel is set up for Flower Mart each year and is a favorite of young and old. Lovingly restored, each hand-painted animal is a work of art with special significance.

• All Hallows Guild Master Puppeteers present a whimsical show, with charming puppets. The all-volunteer puppeteers have been working together for 40-plus years to delight Flower Mart audiences. Each year the show’s theme reflects the overall theme of Flower Mart. Two morning shows (10 a.m., 11 a.m.) and three in afternoon (1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m.).  Children under 12 years of age, $1, adults $2.

• Children's Games and Rides include a cake walk, a giant slide, games and mechanical rides (such as: Twister, the Tubs of Fun and self-propelled Dixie Jr. Whirly Bird, Dixie Jr. Ferris Wheel). A moonbounce and two climbing walls will also be available. Rides and games are ticketed. Run by parent volunteers from Beauvoir, the Cathedral’s Elementary School.

• Terri Bender, Organ Grinder, and friends, Wastel, the little monkey, who will wiggle his ears, tip his hat and his talking parrot will play their magical tunes both days.