40th Annual Flower Festival @ St. Cecilia's Cathedral

 It was a bright, if brisk Saturday morning when I met with members of the Glenwood Garden Club to attend the Flower Festival at St. Cecilia's Cathedral in Omaha.  Each year there is usually a theme & this year's; Let There Be Light was intriguing.

Cover of this year's Brochure~

I was surprised when I looked back at the brochures I've collected.  My first visit was January of 2017 when I attended the 32nd event.  This trip isn't always on our club's itinerary, but this is the fifth time I've enjoyed the tour.  The Cathedral is so beautiful on its own merit, seeing the aisle's festooned with amazing art & floral displays is a treat for winter weary eyes.

The first of the Great Lights of Heaven~

We arrived about 9:30 a.m. & managed to find the last spot available in the church parking.  The streets surrounding the Cathedral were already lined with cars.  The crowd was the largest I've ever seen.  There were four of us in my group.  The crowd consisted of groups of people who would move from one display to the next, each one taking photos as they passed.  

I didn't take the time to get the name of each display or the designer responsible.  There were just too many people.

I think my first visit, when the theme was A Shared Story - Nebraska at 150-Years, was my favorite.  The theme was great & the smaller crowd made it much more enjoyable.

Becky, Charlotte, Ginny & me ~

A lady in the group behind us, offered to take our photo.  

Several of the designs were memorials to individuals, but this festival was dedicated to the memory of Brother William Woeger, FSC.

A beautiful aisle, with the feeling of a short pathway due to the effective lighting.

Tropical Colors & bright metal~

So many different varieties of flowers, the logistics involved in obtaining, transporting etc. must be tremendous.  

Poured & spun glass~

Above & several other displays included beautiful works of stained or poured glass.  Most of the metal & glass art was for sale.

A beautiful tall container~

By the time we'd woven our way around the entire nave, we were ready for something warm to drink at the least!  The building was colder today than any of our prior visits.  We'd left our coats in the car & had dressed warmly, but nonetheless - the temperature was in the 20's.

The 2nd Great Light of Heaven~

We walked over the Mgr. Ernest Graham Building where the Lithuanian Bakery was catering lunch.  Our other four ladies caught up with us in time to share a table.  Janiece, her guest Allie, Carolyn & Julie.  Arriving before the rush, hot hashbrown & sausage soup, coffee & bakery goods hit the spot.  I went home with Kolache to share with Doris!  It was again - a beautiful way to spend a late January day!  

Below I've listed the link to the prior Festival's I've attended~

32nd Annual Cathedral Flower Festival

33rd Annual

34th Annual 

35th Annual

33rd Annual Cathedral Flower Festival

 We shape our buildings; Thereafter they shape us.

- Winston Churchill

A sunny brisk morning, the Glenwood Garden Club met at the bank parking lot to carpool to Omaha.  We were more than ready to see some color in the middle of the drab days of mid-winter in Iowa.

Saint Cecilia's Cathedral~

Saint Cecilia Cathedral was again decked out in the enhanced finery that only fresh flowers can provide! This beautiful building was one of the ten largest cathedrals in the United States when it was completed in 1959.  We arrived before 10 a.m. & again missed out on the long lines that form later in the day.

Beautiful American Flag~

After my first visit last year, I was looking forward to seeing what all the different floral designers would do with this years theme;  Thomas Rogers Kimball and the Cathedral.  Considered Nebraska's greatest architect, the show was dedicated to his memory & the American Institute of Architects.

White roses~

White flowers are not my favorite, I love color.  But these in the photo above drew your attention by the amazing smell that preceeded them.

Tendrils of red~

The display above was totally stunning...

All in the lighting~

The lighting on some of the displays made such a difference in how the colors appeared.

Diorama~

A beautiful rendition of Hotel Fontenelle.

Stunning hanging arrangement~

The huge hanging arrangements above the nave - drew attention!

Pots full of colorful flowers were everywhere~

Brilliant Oranges~

Since orange is one of my favorite colors, I loved seeing so many arrangements dominated by that color.

A almost tropical favorite~

Several times during the morning we were all asking about some of the varieties we were admiring?  The Bird of Paradise in this bouquet was so striking.

Antiques & Yellow Roses~

The antique cabinet made a perfect home for the yellow roses & trailing ivy~

Chandelier~

An amazing structure, so huge & impressive inside, with an aura of warmth & welcome.  We were looking forward to lunch at the Cultural Center next door.  Wheatfields provided the luncheon buffet.  Tables were covered with sweet treats, cakes, rolls, fresh baked breads...  Hot soups, sandwiches, more than enough choices for everyone. 

The drive back to Glenwood was as easy as the drive to Omaha had been.  Again, a great way to enjoy a January day!

32nd Annual Cathedral Flower Festival~

Our Glenwood Garden Club, had planned a trip to attend this incredibly beautiful event at the Saint Cecilia Cathedral in Omaha.  The sky was blue, sun was yellow & air was fresh, if chilly when we arrived!  We found a parking spot & were some of the first to be welcomed inside!  Several young men were available to lend a helping hand or arm to some of the more elderly attendees.  (The Cathedral Arts Project mission - is to bring the arts to the heart of the city.") 

Entrance to Saint Cecilia Cathedral~

 Very well organized, all the halls around the sanctuary were lined with exhibits!  Many of the vestibules too - were decorated with an amazing assortment of floral arrangements!  This year's theme was A Shared Story - Nebraska at 150-years. 

"There are only two or three human stories, and they go on repeating themselves as fiercely as if they had never happened before."  - Wilia Carher

 Each display had a informational board, explaining what the designs signified & what part of Nebraska's history was depicted.

Hanging from the ceiling!

 To be in such an amazing, historic place, so full of grace, with the choir singing & organ playing was almost dizzying in it's grandeur.

Such incredible mixing of perfect blooms~

 I took over 100 photos - just a few of the highlights here ~

One of the many informative signs~

 When Clara entered this room ahead of me, I heard her exclaim, but I certainly didn't expect to see a saddle!  Why not though!  Without horses, the ranchers would have had a much tougher job.

The depiction~

 It must take an army of volunteers to put these scenes together - the flowers were so fresh I just can't imagine the work it takes to grow them, have them bloom at the right time, deliver & arrange them all!

One of my very favorites :-)

 Without the cattlemen & ranchers, we'd all be wondering where the beef is :-) 

Impressive statistics~

 Many famous people were represented too...

The West!  I was surprised to see Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show!   Lookout Mountain, outside Golden, CO still claims to be his true resting place, but stories abound!

Bill would have been surprised!

 As the morning progressed - we worked our way around - Clara & I stopped many times to take photos.

One of the larger displays~

The Railroads - of course played a huge part in the growth of Omaha & our country.

Simply beautiful~

 Leaving the Cathedral, we entered the Msgr. Ernest Graham Building.  Here - we visited the Art Gallery & Gift Shop - where we purchased fresh cut flowers!  In the cafeteria, where large windows gave views of the surrounding neighborhood, we enjoyed a catered luncheon.  The hot chicken dumpling soup was perfect on a cold winter day!  If I mention the desserts...  yes...  We shared one of the huge, home made pecan rolls!

Looking at one end of the Church~

As we were driving in Omaha, with no traffic, I had to ask if we were in the center of town & we were.  Even with the new buildings & evident growth - it's still so easy to get just about anywhere.  Stop lights timed to turn green as you approach - no long waits & again I'm just shocked at how accessible things here are.   What an enjoyable day!