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

35th Annual St.Cecilia Flower Festival~

After  a week of light snow, cold & cloudy gray days, it was a beautiful sunny morning with temperatures in the mid-20's.  Laura & I met in town.  We waited a few minutes to see if anyone else from our Garden Club would appear to car pool, but today we were on our own.  Several members had mentioned that this was something the club had attended before.  My response was;  "Where else can we go the end of January, to see amazing fresh flower arrangements, staged in the most beautiful Cathedral in Omaha?"

What's become my annual visit to St. Cecilia's Cathedral, for the flower festival, didn't disappoint.  A trip to this event has been on our Garden Club calendar for several years now.  My first visit was in January of 2017. 

Each year - the theme changes - too.  This year;  "For Everything a Season", set the stage for the arrangements incorporated into a variety of design elements.  The Cathedral Arts Project receives no funding from the Cathedral or the Archdiocese.  All events are free to the public & underwritten by the patrons & free-will gifts.

The displays are a testimony to the hours of volunteer time involved.  

Partridge in a Pear Tree~

I'm always so busy admiring all the fresh flowers, I don't take photos of the informational placards.

One of rooms to the side of the nave, held three displays of decorated Christmas trees, each more unusual than the last.

Christmas~

The theme here, was obvious! So beautifully done!

A time to marry~

The dress below was stunning & gorgeous enough to wear!

Evergreen ball gown~

I didn't bring my camera. Instead I was trying out the camera on my new phone.

Spectacular arrangement~

Below - another holiday that we all know well! Laura calls it; "Single person appreciation day!" Several ladies who overheard - laughed out loud!

Flowers & Candy!

The Whitman's box of candies would last me a year!

Magnificent blooms~

How all of these plants & arrangements are transported without damaging the leaves, blooms etc., is a mystery to me. Especially in temperatures close to freezing, even at the warmest time of day. There wasn't a wilted bloom or crushed leaf anywhere.

Laura ~

The above display took a large section of the isle.

The Chinese New Year has been so in the news this year, with the virus outbreak & resulting media attention. Here - it was all about the beauty of the celebration.

My favorite colors~

All of the displays assaulted your senses with their vibrancy! A children's choir was singing in the nave & almost all the pews occupied. We'd arrived early, just ahead of the rush, which gave us time to take photos without blocking the flow of visitors.

Green Gladiolas~

We walked over to the Cultural Center & Art Gallery building for lunch, with the catering provided by Wheatfields.  It's always hard to walk away without buying something sweet!  We shared a Kolache, making me determined to pull out Grandma's recipe & make a batch!

We cruised through the gift shop - where Laura bought a beautiful Cyclamen.  I came home with a bunch of green blooming Gladiola's - adding a bright spot to the dining room.   Both of us returned to Glenwood, very happy to have had such a colorful break from winter gray!  It wasn't long, until the morning sun was replaced by the cloud cover that's been sticking with us for a few days now. 

34th Annual Saint Cecilia Flower Festival~

As the Glenwood Garden Club's first event of the year, we all look forward to attending the late January, flower show.  It's our taste of spring!  It was a slightly overcast, bitter cold morning with a light dusting of snow overnight.  Seven of us met to carpool to Omaha.  I have the honor of being the clubs President this year - I feel a bit overwhelmed by the commitment - but have so many wonderful women to help me learn the ropes!

The kiss of the sun for pardon

The song of the birds for mirth

One is nearer God's heart in a garden

Than anywhere else on earth

- Dorothy Frances Gurney

Stunning display of Tulips~

This was my third visit & a trip I look forward to each year.  All along the sides of the nave - were breathtaking displays by local florists & artisans.  This year's theme; Gardens~

Autumn Colors~

The one below, almost looked like a decorated cake!

Roses & Carnations~

The Orchid Society did not disappoint, with some orchids that looked too beautiful to be real.

Gorgeous varieties of Orchids~

We took our time, the smell from all the flowers so sweet, to those of us in the middle of a somewhat harsh mid-west winter!

White Tulip~

The white tulip in the display above was totally perfect! I would love to try planting them, but am told that the best way is in pots. There are too many ground dwelling rodents that love to eat them!

Very spring like~

 The wide variety of flowers is just so impressive when you think of the effort it must take to get them to this destination.

My favorite display~

This display was so artfully done, with mirrors that reflected in the decorative lighting like water.

St. Cecilia's~

We were looking forward to the lunch catered by Wheatfields! A small group of musicians entertained in the lunch room. The chicken & dumpling soup was perfect on a cold day! Butch gave me directions to not leave without pecan rolls for Sunday breakfast!

By the time we walked back out into the cold, the sun was shining & it was a beautiful afternoon!