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Local green thumbs and Bluegrass lovers will have the chance to come together at a Springfield park to raise money for a new garden center. KSMU's Kristian Kriner reports.
"Bluegrass and Blossoms" is a fundraising event sponsored by the non-profit organization, "Friends of the Garden."
Its goal is to raise money for a Botanical Center in Close and Nathanael Greene Park.
On Saturday, "Friends of the Garden" will try to raise nearly $500,000 to start construction on the Botanical Center.
The total cost will be $4.3 million.
The center, when completed in 2010, will be over 12,000 square feet with 34 gardens and office space for gardening shows and classes.
Ken Knauer is the event chairman of "Bluegrass and Blossoms."
He says this event will help raise money to build something Springfield doesn't have.
"We do not have a Botanical Center or a specific Arboretum as per se. Much less anything as lovely as the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis. For a long time many of us have felt that we should have something locally," Knauer said.
Knauer says when the Botanical Center is completed it will be the only botanical center from Little Rock to Kansas City and from Tulsa and to St. Louis.
Saturday's "Bluegrass and Blossoms," will have guided tours of the gardens in Nathanael Greene Park as well as tours of where the new Botanical Center will be.
Also, there will be two acoustic bands that will play traditional and contemporary bluegrass and traditional Irish and American music.
Knauer says there are several reasons people should come out and enjoy the event, beginning with the opportunity to see the beautiful grounds.
"It's a good outdoor event; the price is right, free. It's not restricted to just to Springfield or Greene County residents, but open to all residents of the Ozarks plus any visitors," Knauer said.
"Bluegrass and Blossoms" will be held Saturday in Close Memorial Park a part of Nathanael Greene Park from 2 pm to 5pm.
The weather is expected to cooperate with the forecast calling for sunny skies and a high near 90.
Knauer says to bring your own lawn chairs and anything else you need to have a good time.
For KSMU News, I'm Kristian Kriner.
