Chicagoland Flower and Garden Show

I was just wondering if anyone in the Chicago-area attended the Chicagoland Flower and Garden Show and what you thought of it. In previous years, this show was held at Navy Pier and although I had never attended it, I heard from several people that it was fantastic. However, I attended the show at the new location (Rosemont Convention Center) and was thoroughly unimpressed. For an $11 parking garage charge and a $14 admission fee, I expected much more. What did you all think?

I went last year to the show at Navy Pier...it was good, but in my mind it is a 'been there, done that' kinda of thing! Didn't go this year.

hey there,
Yes I went to the flower and garden show this year. I have to admit that it was my first time ever to go. The place that I work at "Midwest Groundcovers" in St. Charles has a wonderful presentaion in jan. at navy pier. The flower and garden show did not even compare to what u see in jan. I found it to be very boring after an hour. I did find a cool patina sunm ornament for my gardens and a spinner, but that was all. no inspiration on gardening. glad I am not the only one that felt this way.
backspace

It was my first time too. And what was all that nongardening-related stuff that was being sold at the vendor booths-mops and dishrags and jewelry? I felt like I was walking around a flea market that was thrown together at the last minute. Very disappointing. I attended a spring flower show at Knupper's in Palatine and I have to say that a mom-and-pop nursery can put on a better show than the Village of Rosemont, plus it was free!!

I quess the people that think this is a fantastic show are not TRUE gardeners in heart. I will not waste my time or money again with it. there are so many other places around the area to go to get REAL inspiration /ideas.

I too felt completely ripped off by the Garden show in Rosemont. I guess if you had $30,000 or more to blow on brick work it would have been very interesting. Nothing practical and the vendor area was mostly a joke. The only sellers over there that were really of interest to me was the group from Triton College. The show promoters got my $25 this year but at least I was able to warn my mother and her friends to save their money. It was nice to look at but nothing you couldn't have seen on a drive through Barrington and not worth the price of admission. Parking is parking and that's about what they charged if not exactly what they charged for the fishing show in January. The show was geared toward upper end backyard brick palaces, not the everyday gardener. I know this is late but I am glad I too am not the only one who was dissatisfied.

I am right there with you Norwell. Too many other places in this area to go see a good show , learn something and not pay those high prices. I won't waste my time or money again.

Norwell,

What did the kids from Triton College have? Ceramic and other garden art? I graduated from there in 2004. Ü

~Kris

The group from Triton had various indoor and outdoor plants...gee what do ya know having something like that at a garden show??? Everything looked very healthy and they were totally swamped every time I walked by. Other than that it should have been called the brick patio and walkway show..or the Don't even come in here without 30k to blow on brick show...still very disappointed on the over all except for the Triton College booth, which as my memory serves me was the horticultural program, and the railway garden setup from a different private club.

"The don't even come in here without 30k to blow on brick show," ROTFLMAO! That sucks. Sorry it was so disappointing. Oh yeah, the horticulture club, I forgot about them. Yeah, Triton has a green house and they have a bunch o gardening classes. Totally forgot about that, lol. I was thinking the art club made some garden decorations or something.

~Kris