For Palisades residents who may be displaced in the Santa Barbara area or for orchid enthusiasts, the 78th Annual Santa Barbara International Orchid Show will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 20-22 at the Earl Warren Showgrounds, 3400 Calle Real. A one-day pass is $22.23 and a three-day pass is $31.62. Parking is $10 per vehicle.
This year’s theme is “Orchid Escape.” This show is one of the oldest, largest and most prestigious orchid shows in the United States, reflecting the rich agricultural and orchid-growing history of Santa Barbara County.
Visitors from all over the world view grand orchid displays installed by local, national and international artisans and orchid enthusiasts. Exhibits of orchid art, photography and floral arrangements, in addition to a comprehensive workshop and demonstration schedule, provide visitors with a rich and unique orchid experience.
Unsure of how to view the vast exhibit? Sign up for a VIP tour, which includes express entry to the show. There are workshops on how to pot orchids and on floral artistry: designing with orchids.
There will be free demos every 30 minutes in the demonstration tent. There will bea plant sale of rare, exotic and collector-worthy orchids.
A Orchid Serenity Yoga & Sound Bath will take place at 6:15 p.m. on Thursday, March 19 and includes all-levels 45-minute yoga flow surrounded by rare orchids. One will experience music and voice instruction simultaneously through signature yoga headsets, at the volume level of your choice so you never miss a beat. Afterwards, people will remove the headsets for the sound bath.
At 6 p.m. on Friday, March 20, the event Is “Orchids After Dark, for three hours one can explore the massive exhibit, take pictures of favorite orchids, enjoy drinks and music.
Orchid Escape Dinner, featuring Chef Amy Baer of Epicurean Santa Barbara will take place from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 21. For more information: click here.
(Editor’s note: For years, the Malibu Orchid Society always displayed at the Santa Barbara Show, but as President Birute Anne Vileisis wrote, “Sadly, I must report that our Society will not be exhibiting at the Santa Barbara Show this year. Attribute it to ‘burn out’ among those who have faithfully gone up to Santa Barbara for many years to set up our exhibits. Hopefully by next year there will be a renewal of interest to participate once again.” She didn’t mention that she lost her greenhouse and her orchid collection during the Palisades Fire as did many of the society members.)