On the first day of spring the weather struggled against winter’s grip but that did not get Claudia Dickinson and her team of SeaTac Rotary volunteers down.

Dickinson and several volunteers from the Rotary, Southwest King County Chamber of Commerce, community and sponsors have been working hard the past several months putting the finishing touches on the First Annual Flower & Garden Show coming to SeaTac on Saturday, April 13.



“This has been a team effort from the very start,” said Dickinson who has past experience coordinating events in SeaTac. “We’ve gone from initial sketches and brainstorming to making this event a reality with the help of many people. We’re very pleased to see just how many businesses and residents want to come together to ‘cultivate community’ with us here in SeaTac.”



Last year, the SeaTac Rotary began developing ideas for events that would make a positive impact on the community, something with a bigger splash than the usual dinner auctions.

The outpouring of support from local sponsors, vendors, and volunteers has bolstered Dickinson’s resolve.

“The City of SeaTac Parks and Recreation Department has been very supportive and companies like Republic Services have sponsored the event also delivering in-kind assistance to help with marketing materials and messaging. Local garden expert, Ciscoe Morris, emailed to compliment us on our ‘all-star lineup’ of guest speakers. And we’ve received widespread support from numerous organizations throughout Puget Sound.”



“Businesses came out of the woodwork to sponsor this event," added Dickinson. "We have many companies like Dollar Sales, Powell’s Wood, Dantere Management, Cedar Grove and the Highline Botanical Society pitching in to help."


SeaTac Rotary’s roots run deep in the community. Each year, they help with the SeaTac International Festival, the Holiday Bazaar and other community events and programs. Teams of Rotary volunteers help set up booths, recruit volunteers and participate in a variety of ways with SeaTac events.

According to Dickinson, a flower and garden show was right up Rotary’s alley.



“As we started talking with people about this event, we received numerous recommendations and referrals. A network emerged and news of the event spread quickly by word of mouth,” added Dickinson. “It was like opening up a network of gardeners who had been craving an opportunity like this. It was apparent to us early on just how much a local community garden event was needed in SeaTac.”



The list of garden experts, guest speaker presentations and vendor booths is diverse. The event is tailored to families with something for all ages.



“Like a touch tank at an aquarium, we’ll have hands-on gardening that gets kids excited about plants, growing vegetables and learning about composting,” said Dickinson. “It will be a great weekend for outdoor learning in our community.

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Vendors will help launch spring with plants and shrubs for sale, local produce, orchids and vegetable starts. Some are bringing honeysuckle vines, hanging baskets, jewelry, “garden bling” and birdhouses.

The garden show is Saturday, April 13, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The event will be located at the SeaTac Community Center, 13735 24th Avenue South with free parking. Cost of tickets is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors and students and free for children under the age of 12.

For more information visit www.facebook.com/skcflowerandgardenshow or email Claudia Dickinson at claudiad169@gmail.com.


The event is a charity event put on by the SeaTac Rotary and proceeds benefit the community at large. 



Guest speakers include Nitajo Rountree, NW Horticulture Society; 
Greg Butlser, landscape designer and horticulturist

; Graham Kerr, the Galloping Gourmet

; Christina Salwitz, the Personal Garden Coach

; Joe Grienauer, Emerald City Orchids

; Bill Grassie, WSU Master Gardener and Bill Vingelen, head farmer at the Herb Farm.