The San Francisco Flower and Garden Show. Will I Ever Feel Happy Again?

The flower show at the Cow Palace 2007

The flower show at the Cow Palace 2007

I have been disappointed with The San Francisco Flower and Garden Show for the past few years, especially since they changed venues to the San Mateo Convention center.

Every year for the past four years though I feel so ripped off after I leave. It doesn’t feel special and theatrical like the old Cow Palace.

The flower show at the Cow Palace 2007

But I really want to go again this year. I can’t stop myself. I just keep on hoping. 

I should probably just give up and forget about the The Show, but I can’t, waaaaaahh! 

OK, so here’s my plan: Perhaps my approach is wrong. I usually just drive up to San Mateo early when the show opens, plop my $20 down, and spend a couple hours. Of course, when it was in the Cow Palace, sniff, I’d spend all day. 

I never go to the seminars ‘cause I can’t remember anything and I hate taking notes. I would prefer to take pictures and pretend I know what I’m doing. 

But this year, I’m thinking of going to the gala. Drinking I can do. 

I’m very good at it. I can drink and garden. So here’s what, I’m kinda shy, and I feel very inadequate as a gardener, so I have a hard time talking to the designers about their gardens. I figure, a couple of cocktails and I could be blabbing my head off with these people.

Think how much first-hand knowledge I could glean from these people, I may not remember it in the morning but I can glean can’t I? I will be spending about three times the money but I could be having four times the fun. 

The flower show at the Cow Palace 2007

It will be dark, and perhaps that, in combination with alcohol, will make the venue seem much more theatrical and cool like the old, sniff, Cow Palace.

Maybe everything will look nicer and seem better and more dramatic. Maybe I’ll dance in one of the temporary design display garden ponds or fountains. 

The flower show in San Mateo 2009. This was a pretty cool garden.

Maybe I’ll get kicked out and be asked never to return to the San Francisco Flower and Garden Show ever again and that way I wont have to torture myself by comparing the San Mateo County Fairgrounds with the Cow Palace for the rest of my life.

Comments

[Kay Hamilton Estey]

Love your blog - that is so amusing. The new Show owners are working hard with that San Mateo space, draping the walls, lighting the gardens - it will look gorgeous. Lots more features possible also in that space. In the same halls as the gardens 10 small space gardens and 4 edible gardens AND an avenue of ancient olives. Glad you are coming to the gala -those garden creators LOVE to talk about their creations!

[chigiy]

Hello Kay,
Yes, my friend is flying up from San Diego to go to the gala with me. I am very excited to try something new this time. Yay! Will you be at the gala??

[Gina B.]

HI Chigy,
You sure you don't want to take Paree and me (wink, wink), again? I might have to work and not show up, but like last time you don't have to tell her right away. Hmmmm, maybe not. Have fun!

[Debra]

The beautiful displays at any garden show always look much better after a cocktail or two. Conversations get pretty good as well.
Great story, thanks for the read.