First-ever gardening show comes to NPAC

VW independent/submitted information

The first-ever gardening event at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center of Northwest Ohio is proving to be a hot ticket in the tri-state area.

Celebrity garden designer P. Allen Smith will be keynote speaker during the Van Wert Blooms Gardening Symposium, to be held from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Saturday, April 16. Garden enthusiasts and friends from surrounding states will be gathering at the Niswonger for a full day of informative speakers, question-and-answer sessions and book signings.

Smith will be the featured speaker of the conference and will share stories and scenes gathered from his wide-ranging travels to world-class gardens while taping programs for his nationally syndicated television shows. He will also offer tales about many of the fascinating gardeners he has met along the way — some zany, others serious, but all passionate about their plants.

Smith will also offer plenty of bottom-line gardening advice, with a dash of down-home humor and lots of real-life anecdotes. His career as a best selling author, award winning television host, and frequent guest on “The Today Show” have brought him national acclaim, including the prestigious 2006 National Medal of Honor from the Garden Club of America.

He will be available after his lecture to sign copies of his “Garden Home” series of books.

Along with Smith are noted industry experts who will also share the stage and be available for inquisitive minds. These noted speakers include, Amanda Thomsen, Barbara Wise, Irvin Etienne, Maria Zampini, and Pam Bennett.

Speaker bios can be found on the Niswonger website at NPACVW.ORG. Of very special note, Master Gardeners can earn 6 CEUs from attending.

Due to popular demand, the $45 tickets that include breakfast, lunch, swag bags, and door prizes, have sold out. Now available are balcony tickets for $30 that include all six speaker presentations and book signings. Participating restaurants to accommodate the one-hour lunch break include the Black Angus on Main, Balyeat’s Coffee Shop, Schlotzsky’s Deli, and Willow Bend Country Club. Reservation information can be obtained at NPACVW.ORG.

The $30 balcony tickets are available by contacting the Niswonger Box Office at 419.238.6722, Monday and Friday from noon-4 p.m. or online at NPACVW.ORG.

The Niswonger is located at 10700 Ohio 118 on the south edge of Van Wert.