Local 6 Theme World: Flower & Garden & Food & Music

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January 29, 2014

Flower & Garden & Food & Music

Amid today's news that SeaWorld has salvaged its "Bands, Brews & Barbecue" concert series and food fest (Alan Jackson kicks it off at 5 Saturday; Kid Rick plays Super Bowl Sunday ) I thought I would update you on another popular park fest: Epcot's International Flower & Garden Festival.



Or should we just permanently rename it "Flower & Garden & Food & Wine & Music?"
That's because Disney recently confirmed it will run March 5 to May 18 this year, and like 2013, the fest is branching out beyond topiaries & "Tinker Belle's Butterfly Garden" and into "outdoor kitchens."  Last year, we saw a handful of  these "Food & Wine Fest" -style booths. This year -- there will be one at each World Showcase Nation, focusing on  food from field to table.  



Here are some of the menu highlights Disney is touting (quoting from their website):

  • Crab tostadas with chipotle aioli and salsa in the Jardin de Fiestas in Mexico.
  • A spring pancake with grilled chicken and green apple at the Lotus House in China.
  • Savory bread pudding with spring peas and wild mushroom ragout at the Bauernmarkt in Germany.
  • Green asparagus and lobster with a garden cocktail sauce at Primavera Kitchen in Italy.
  • Stir-fried veggies and soba noodles served in a bun at Hamai in Japan.
  • Spiced lamb kebabs with couscous salad at Taste of Marrakesh in Morocco.
  • A pork slider with cole slaw at The Smokehouse at American Adventure.
  • A ratatouille tart with goat cheese at L'Orangerie in France.
  • Heirloom tomatoes with house-made mozzarella, Minus 8 Vinegar and basil at The Cottage in the United Kingdom.
  • Sweet beverages at Fruits by the Glass Marketplace, with watermelon passion fruit cocktail, non-alcoholic wild berry slush, blueberry beer and wine, mango wine, gluten-free
  • raspberry ale, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
  • Dole Whip with Florida-made spiced rum at the Pineapple Promenade.
  • Watermelon salad with pickled red onions, baby arugula, feta cheese and balsamic reduction; shrimp and stone-ground grits with andouille sausage, zellwood corn, tomatoes and cilantro; and angel food cake with Florida berries at Florida Fresh Marketplace.



Like SeaWorld's "Bands, Brew & Barbecue" and Universal's Mardi Gras,  Epcot features a cornucopia of live entertainment.


This year's  "Flower Power concert series" will feature performances  Friday - Sunday at 5:30, 6:45 and 8 p.m in the America Gardens Theater. I hope you have as much fun as these people:


 Here is this year's lineup.

  • March 7-9: The Guess Who
  • March 14-16: Gary Lewis and The Playboys
  • March 21-23: The Orchestra Starring Former Members of ELO
  • March 28-30: The Lovin' Spoonful
  • April 4-6: Paul Revere & The Raiders
  • April 11-13: Village People
  • April 18-20: The Grass Roots
  • April 25-27: Herman's Hermits Starring Peter Noone
  • May 2-4: STARSHIP Starring Mickey Thomas
  • May 9-11: Chubby Checker & The Wildcats
  • May 16-18: Alan Parsons Live Project


Oh, yeah,  at its heart the fest is about Flowers and Gardens, right? Well, once again Disney is teaming up with HGTV/DIY to bring in talent for talks at the Festival Center
New this year -- Epcot is bringing in the "Crashers"-- shows where the hosts "randomly" pick couples to makeover a room in their homes in 3 days.



The gentleman above is Matt Muenster who hosts  "Bath Crashers." Joining him are Matt Blashaw from "Yard Crashers," and Alison Victoria from "Kitchen Crashers."  
Like the music -- look for these seminars on the weekends. Here is the tentative schedule

  • March 7-9 - Vern Yip, "Design Star"
  • March 14-16 - Chris Lambton, "Going Yard"
  • March 21-23 - Matt Blashaw, "Yard Crashers"
  • March 28-30 - Matt Meunster, "Bath Crashers"
  • April 4-6 - Taniya Nayak, "House Hunters on Vacation"
  • April 11-13 - Amy Matthews, "Renovation Raiders"
  • April 18-20 - John Gidding, "Curb Appeal"
  • April 25-27 - David Bromstad, "Color Splash"
  • May 2-4 - Chip Wade, "Elbow Room"
  • May 9-11 - Genevieve Gorder, "Design Star"
  • May 16-18 - Alison Victoria, "Kitchen Crashers"


A reminder -- those seminars (and the concerts) fill up fast. So if there is someone you really want to see, plan to line up at least an hour early. Here's a link to Epcot's Flower & Garden Web Site.

keep your emails, questions, tips and comments coming! I always appreciate the feedback. You can always find all of my blog entries at www.clickorlando.com/themeparks


About the Author:

Ken Pilcher is a lifelong Floridian with more than 30 years in journalism experience. He joined News 6 in 2003 and has covered Central Florida attractions and theme parks since 1988. He currently produces News 6 at 7 p.m.

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