5 Celebrations Blooming With Flower Power
Features & Advice Cherese Weekes June 06, 2014

Photo courtesy of Thinkstock
There’s more to flowers than just looking at their beautiful features and breathing in their wonderful scents. In each of these five festivals they represent history, culture and religion. Who needs to stop and smell the roses when you'll have free access to their dynamic fragrances on the go? So follow your nose and grace these colorful floral celebrations with your presence as their main attractions blossom brilliantly and effortlessly for the world to see.
Australia: Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers
There’s more to this colorful parade than just staring at flowers — although they are quite lovely. However, the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers is a wine-sipping, finger-licking, party-going and fashion-wearing fest for all types of flower lovers.
Running Sept.19- 28, let your curiosity of the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers’ quirky name alone drive you to this colorful celebration, which is dominated by events like the Floral Design Competitions, Classic Cars and Culture to Couture. And of course, no flower spectacle would exist without a parade, where Australia’s Queens Park is transformed into a huge eye-popping festivity as flower-decorated floats subsequently flood the city’s streets. Whether you’re in for dancing or demonstration watching, each day of the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers comes complete with floral surprises.
Bulgaria: Kazanlak Rose Festival
As the sweet-smelling fragrances of the Bulgarian Kazanluk rose pierce the air, the powerful fragrance signifies it is time for the Rose Festival in Kazanlak, Bulgaria to be in full bloom. Occurring on June 5-10, the fluorescent flower is the reason behind Bulgaria’s success as the world’s leading producer of rose oil. It is customarily used to provide the sweet-smelling aromas in perfumes as well as blended in recipes to enhance the flavors of jam and chocolate.
Since it is referred to as the “liquid gold” of Bulgaria, you can believe that cultivating and harvesting this precious flower comes at a hefty price. So when you see Bulgarians affirmatively celebrating this unique rose, they are also showing their appreciation to its unwavering, oil-bearing soul,
Philippines: Flores De Mayo
“April showers bring May flowers” is a maxim that rings true in the Philippines. That’s because after the series of downpours in April, the blooming of flowers officially starts the Flores De Mayo (Flowers of May) on May 1 every year. The celebration is quite religious and flows throughout a variety of events that occurs during the entire month. From the singing and dancing of locals to encourage heavy rainfall on the harvests for the upcoming year to decorating the surrounding churches with colorful bouquets, the flower plays a vital role in the way the country celebrates.
And what’s a religious celebration without intertwining good old pageantry to represent Queen Helena and her son Constantine? After a slew of attractive girls are selected, each one fully dressed to symbolize the “Accolades of Our Lady," the procession is diverted to the streets where the famous queen and her son as well as a replica of the Virgin Mary are followed by the girls and other celebrators.
Ohio: Dandelion Festival
When the fields of Amish County transform into a bright yellow bed of flowers, it is time to bring your appetite and the love of the dandelion over to the Breitenbach Dandelion Festival. On May 2, 2015 not only will you be obliged to design your own bouquet, but you can devour the golden flower as well.
From a selection of treats including dandelion bread, ice cream, sausages and gravy — they provide a taste that only the blooming main attraction can give. And what’s better than downing this flower-infused meal off than with a glass of dandelion sangria or wine? If you weren’t a fan of the dandelion, by the time you’re finished eating, picking and looking at them, you’ll become an obsessive admirer.
Hawaii: Aloha Festivals Floral Parade
Proudly honoring the historic traditions of Hawaii, the Aloha Festivals of Waikiki is a grand celebration that occurs every Saturday during the month of September. However, it’s the annual Aloha Festival Floral Parade that is arguably the most colorful event the festival in store. On Sept. 27, hula dancers, musicians and marchers will rhythmically make their way through the streets dressed in gorgeous Hawaiian flowers. Even horses get in on the action, marching in harmony to the music with their cascading floral neckpieces and decorations in tow.
And with this year’s theme being "Maluhia Honua, World Peace with Aloha," no other statement successfully unifies the world than a grand gesture like that of a bright bouquet of flowers.
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