SOUTHWEST  LOUISIANA  GARDEN  FESTIVAL 2009 

GENERAL  INFORMATION

 

The purpose of the Garden Festival is to show the garden public the following: 

1.    Where to obtain gardening products and accessories;

2.    Where to obtain gardening services;

3.    What garden clubs or plant societies are located in the southwest area;

4.    The traditional woody and herbaceous plants appropriate for our area; and new and improved garden plants and shrubs that will be sold at local garden centers;

5.    To encourage gardening activities, planting, and stimulate the horticultural industry, and;

6.    To provide a place for sales that makes available quality garden plants, products, and accessories to the general public.   

 

7.    Help unify people with professional and non-commercial interests in horticulture so that the gardening industry in southwest Louisiana may be enhanced. 

 

8.    It is hoped that gardeners and garden industry members will become more aware of the services and products available, and in general, become more knowledgeable. 

We encourage exhibitors/vendors to provide educational materials, demonstrations at their booth, raffle plants or merchandise to participants viewing the show.  If plants or merchandise are to be given away, you must provide a courtesy receipt.  All merchandise will be subject to inspection by security officers at the gates. 

Exhibitors/vendors are encouraged and allowed to sell plants and merchandise; however, the integrity of your exhibit must be maintained during show hours until 1:00 pm on SUNDAY when the integrity is lifted from all exhibits.  Exhibitors needing set-aside space for stock to replenish and maintain their booth can request such space on their registration form.  However, vendors are reminded that they are to remain in place until the end of the festival. Breaking down booths and moving out while customers are still paying admission and entering the gates presents an unprofessional image.  The Festival is officially over at 4:00 pm Sunday, March 29.

Exhibitors must provide receipts for all merchandise sold in the sales area since it will be subject to inspection by security officers upon leaving the Garden Show.  All licenses, fees and taxes are the responsibility of the exhibitor! 

Exhibitors will be issued up to four name badges per exhibit, which will permit the bearer entry into the Garden Show, an unlimited amount of times.  Only the bearer of the name badges will be permitted FREE entry. 

The 4-H Home School Club will be selling refreshment and hot dogs in the Rent-A-Kid Booth.  There will be hospitality lunches Saturday and Sunday for Exhibitors/Vendors  wearing name badges.  The Lunch is provided by the Calcasieu Parish 4-H.  The SWL Master Gardeners will maintain a Hospitality Garden Room for all vendors & exhibitors during the Show.  Check with Festival Information for the location. 

Garden clubs, plant societies, and government agencies will be charged $25.00 for a 10' x 10' booth space on first come, first serve bases. 

Two chairs and two tables are available, if requested.  Exhibitors are responsible for their skirting, backdrops, electrical cords (outlets limited), loading and unloading, as well as, carts, wagons, dollies, etc. to help carry purchased merchandise out to customer vehicles.

Rent-A-Kid:  Calcasieu Parish Home School 4-H Club as a fun raiser will provide a Rent-A-Kid service.  Exhibitors can avail themselves to this service on setting up on Friday, March 27. and Sunday, March 29 at tear-down time.  A 4-H'er can be rented for $2.00 with a wagon.  Customers may also avail themselves to this service while shopping at the Garden Festival.

Exhibitors/Vendors may setup their booths on Friday, from 9 a.m. to  7 p.m.  The Burton Coliseum is secured beginning Friday evening at 6 p.m. and ending Sunday evening at 6 p.m.        

AGREEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING FOR PARTICIPATION 

The LSU Agricultural Center, Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service, or the Burton Coliseum cannot be held responsible for the loss or damage to property of exhibitors from theft, wind, fire, and water or other causes.  If insurance of personal property is desired, the exhibitor must provide it. 

It is expressly understood and agreed, and the vendor/exhibitor agrees by accepting these rules, that he/she will make no claim of any kind against the LSU Agricultural Center, Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service, the Burton Coliseum, or any of its members or its employees for any loss, damage, or destruction of goods, for any injury that may occur to him/himself or his/her employees within the exhibit area, or for any damage of any nature or character whatsoever.   

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If you have specific questions concerning your exhibit or the location of your exhibit, call Pat Ortego or Robert Turley at 337-475-8812.