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Tranquil gardens and traditional styles will contrast modern abstract style and contemporary floral arrangements at the L.A. County Fair’s Flower and Garden Pavilion, one of the most spectacular floral exhibits on the West Coast. The Fair is scheduled for Sept. 12-28 at Fairplex in Pomona.
To recreate the mystical “Influences of the Orient”-The Art of Floral Design, flower and garden organizers are completely transforming the area using traditional and contemporary home and garden styles found in China, Japan, Taiwan and other Asian countries. Magnificent and mammoth replicas of 11th century Chinese horses from P. F. Chang’s China Bistro will greet guests entering the Flower and Garden Pavilion.
Fairguests will be delighted by the spectacular centerpiece of the building — a lush fern covered mountain with water streaming down the sides. At the top of the mountain are giant orange, white, black and yellow butterflies constructed of floral material. Behind the lush green mountain is a waterfall with massive oriental fans resting on the ledges. The red fans are highlighted with beautiful gold paint in traditional oriental patterns.
Ichibana, a traditional style of Oriental floral design, will also be displayed. Members of the American Institute of Floral Design will be on hand to demonstrate various forms of Oriental-inspired floral design. Brilliantly-colored Kimonos and lanterns will adorn the walls and ceilings of the Flower and Garden Pavilion.
“We have traveled to different areas of the world the past few years, including France and the Deep South, but this year we decided to focus on the Asian culture because of its influence on us,” said Flower and Garden Pavilion Coordinator Jim Hynd. “The Orient is a large region and has always had such an enormous influence on our sense of floral design and flowers.”
Hynd grew up in Claremont and attended the L.A. County Fair with his family as a youth. After high school, he attended Mt. Sac, then moved to Northern California and eventually joined the Navy. After his stint in the Navy, Hynd worked for Fiesta Floats in Temple City, the beginning of a 30 year involvement with the Tournament of Roses Parade. In 1987, Hynd and Tim Estes purchased Fiesta Parade Floats in Duarte. Hynd currently serves as Vice President and Floral Director of Fiesta Parade Floats, the leading builder of award-winning floats in the annual Rose Parade in Pasadena.
For more information about the Flower and Garden Pavilion or the L.A. County Fair, visit the Web site at www.lacountyfair.com or call (909) 623-3111.
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