Thousands of Canberrans took home a piece of Floriade in the Great Big Bulb Dig. Photo: Jarryd Rowley.
Floriade ended yesterday, but thousands flocked to Commonwealth Park this morning to take home a lasting piece of this year’s springtime festival.
Officially called the Great Big Bulb Dig, it gave local gardeners the opportunity to fit as many of the festival’s flowers as they could into an official Floriade tote bag.
Each bag cost $20, with the money raised from bag sales being donated to YWCA Canberra.
With a lofty fundraising target of $100,000, and over 2000 people ready to go through the gates as soon as they opened, YWCA CEO Frances Crimmins said she was confident the target would well and truly be met.
“While this day is a lot of fun and everyone gets to take a bulb home, it also allows us to raise money to deliver homes for vulnerable women and children who are impacted by domestic and family violence,” Ms Crimmins said.
“It’s a fantastic event at the end of a very successful festival, and it’s just delightful to see families coming out. It’s free to come in with your children and, as long as you have a bag, you’ll be able to take something home with you.”
While Canberrans made up the majority of eager green thumbs, people from across the country joined in, digging up and taking home their own bulbs, including Jenny, Kylie and Susan, who flew all the way from Brisbane to take part in the Great Big Bulb Dig.
“We’d heard about Floriade for years and years. We had always wanted to come down and be a part of it,” Susan said.
“It’s crazy the number of people who have come down today, but when you see how beautiful the bulbs are, you can understand why so many people want to take just a little bit home,” Kylie continued.
“It’s just a great idea as well. It’s better to give the bulbs to people who will look after them and let them continue to grow instead of just letting them be mulched,” Jenny said.
Events ACT executive branch manager Ross Triffit said seeing the thousands of people pick their own bulbs was a beautiful end to a tremendous festival.
“All of these bulbs that have been here throughout Floriade are going to great homes spread across the backyards of Canberra,” he said.
“Even with heavy rain, high winds and even hail, we’ve seen a tremendous amount of visitors and a lot of great local community support.
“Today is the final chapter of the festival where we can help raise some important funds for YWCA, give the plants a new home and bring down the curtain.
“It really is the perfect end to what’s been another great Floriade.”
