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Boston Flower Show opened this morning even though all the volunteer organizers are staying home

At 11:45 p.m. yesterday, Mass. Horticultural Society President James Hearsum e-mailed supporters that society staffers and "an army of loyal volunteers" will not be attending the Boston Flower and Garden Show, scheduled to open this morning, because of Covid-19 concerns.

And yet, he wrote, the show at the World Trade Center is still on - only it will be run entirely by the commercial concern with which the society had been working.

After a full year of preparation by our dedicated staff team and an army of loyal volunteers, we completed the build and judging for the 2020 Boston Flower and Garden Show earlier today. It is beautiful, meaningful, and we are so proud of what we have all accomplished.

However, when the Flower Show opens tomorrow at 10 a.m. our staff and volunteers will not be attending.

We have made this heart-breaking decision to protect the health and well-being of our staff, volunteers and community. I hope you understand.

The show, managed and run by The Paragon Group, is going ahead. Their statement can be read at https://bostonflowershow.com/.

You should make an individual decision regarding attendance in light of your personal risk factors and the guidance provided by competent public health authorities.

In its statement, the Paragon Group writes:

We want to remind everyone that the recent state of emergency that has been declared by Governor Baker is to ensure that funds are available for emergency response if it becomes necessary. We have not been told that moving forward with the Boston Flower Show is unsafe. We will still be providing hand sanitizing stations throughout the facility, continuous cleaning and disinfecting of restrooms and shared public spaces, and an EMT who is versed in the appropriate handling of health-related issues. The safety of our customers and exhibitors is still our top priority.

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Comments

That exhibition space is closing soon, maybe even later this year.

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Columbia Point? I liked that space.

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That's not why they left, but it's why they can never return.

Some Bayside history, from Wikipedia

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The wife reports there was maybe 1/5 the crowd today compared to last year.

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emailed statement:

As a result of the ongoing health concerns from the spread of COVID-19 in the region, The Boston Flower & Garden Show will close at 6 p.m. on Friday, March 13, 2020. The scheduled show days of Saturday, March 14 through Sunday, March 15 have been cancelled.

"We are taking this unprecedented action to help protect our attendees, exhibitors and all participants from COVID-19," said Carolyn Weston, Show Manager of The Boston Flower & Garden Show.

"Because 'the show must go on' is part of our DNA, the decision to cut the show short didn't come easy. Our focus remains with the health and well-being of all those involved in this enduring event. We have already been in communication with our exhibitors and partners and thank them for all their support and contributions,” Weston added.

The decision to close the show early was made in consultation with The Seaport World Trade Center.

The Boston Flower & Garden Show is about inspiring, educating and motivating the region’s gardeners. Whether for curb appeal, backyard, kitchen, rooftop or community garden, this is where New England’s green lovers and families go to discover new ideas while having fun. Our customers and employees are our highest priority.

A good deal of you have been refunded for tickets that you purchased in advance. If you have purchased a ticket in advance and have not yet attended the show, we will be issuing refunds to un-scanned tickets over the next two weeks. We appreciate your patience as we work through this process.

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