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Villagers Vie for the Title of Best Garden Extravaganza
Each year, the Douglasdale Retirement Village comes alive with residents enjoying a relaxing family day with various fun activities. The event’s highlight is the Garden Extravaganza competition, where villagers compete to display their gardening prowess.
This year was no exception, and the event offered a delightful twist, with residents vying to impress the judging panel during the annual Garden Extravaganza competition. The panel of internal and external gardening experts set high standards, motivating residents to showcase their gardens.
Barbara Holcroft, a resident at the home, expressed, “The primary goal of the day was to provide residents with an opportunity to invite family and friends to view this year’s entries. During the Family Day held the week before the final judging, many of our remarkable gardens were on display.”
She further mentioned that village maps were available, highlighting the competition entries. Visitors strolled through the village at their own pace, marvelling at the exceptional displays and picking up invaluable gardening tips and ideas. The competition featured various entry categories, from large gardens to moderate simplexes and small apartments, showcasing incredible creativity and themes.
But the excitement didn’t stop at the Garden Extravaganza competition. A large entertainment area was thoughtfully arranged for the residents’ enjoyment. The day featured a vibrant flea market, delightful face painting for the children, lively music, and a diverse selection of delicious food from various street food vendors.
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Holcroft shared, “Our village’s renowned pancakes, Rotary Club boerie rolls, mocktails, and more were available. The weather was perfect, providing an ideal backdrop for residents to have a relaxing day with their families and friends. Everyone in attendance unanimously agreed that the event was a tremendous success.”
The subsequent week was eagerly anticipated as the time for the long-awaited Gardening Extravaganza judging had arrived. Throughout the day, residents enjoyed tea, coffee, and cakes served in the serene gardens under the trees, with an abundance of ice cream to delight the children.
The occasion also celebrated resident artists, who had the opportunity to exhibit their artwork, with several even deciding to offer their work for sale. The event reached its climax with a prize-giving dinner held that evening. Excitement and anticipation filled the air as the winners were announced.
Dawn McDonald secured 1st prize for her exceptional garden. She was deservedly honoured with the prestigious title of Gardener of the Year for 2023. Her garden’s beauty was described as breathtaking. Another resident, Ermelinda da Silva, was awarded 1st prize for her small apartment garden, an impressive feat given that she produced a magnificent display of roses at the age of 86. The event was a resounding success, fostering community togetherness and enthusiasm among people of all ages.
Source: Villagers compete for best garden extravaganza
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Picture: Supplied by Fourways Reviews
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