FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association

PHONE: 256.350.3500 / 800.648.5381

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HUNTSVILLE BOTANICAL GARDEN CELEBRATES ARRIVAL OF SPRING

WITH MONTH-LONG EVENT

Decatur, Ala. – For a blooming good time, make plans to visit the Huntsville Botanical Garden in April for its annual Spring Festival of Flowers where thousands of wildflowers, daffodils, tulips, azaleas, dogwoods, and more are in full bloom. The month-long event also includes informal gardening lessons, a photography workshop, and plant sale in addition to the magnificent display from the thousands of flowers.

For a look at the Garden behind the scenes, make plans to attend one of the Garden ‘n Grub Series held at noon every Tuesday and Thursday in April. The free guided walk offers tips and demonstrations from various members of the Garden Horticulture staff. A sack lunch may be purchased at Clementine’s at the Garden or participants may bring their own. For a complete list of speakers and topics, visit www.hsvbg.org.

A Wildflower Photography Workshop is scheduled for Saturday, April 2, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., in the Boeing Education Classroom. Conducted by Tom and Pat Cory, the workshop is ideal for photographers of all experience levels and will cover techniques to improve nature photography, followed by hands-on instruction outside in the Garden. Registration is $45 for members and $50 for non-members and is limited to 45 participants.

The largest plant sale in Alabama is set for April 15-17. The Spring Plant Sale offers annuals by the flat or pack; ferns, geraniums, a huge selection of herbs, cherished heirloom plants, houseplants, orchids, perennials, old-fashioned roses, vegetable plants, water plants, wildflowers, shrubs, vines, and trees. All varieties have been specially selected to thrive in North Alabama. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own wagons for easier carrying.

Spring Festival of Flowers opens April 1 and concludes on April 30, 2011. Garden hours in April are Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. with extended hours to 8 p.m. on Thursdays, and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Admission rates are $12 for adults, $8 for children 3 to 18 years old, and children 2 years and under are admitted free. Admission for seniors (55+) and military personnel is $10. Members of the Huntsville Botanical Garden are admitted free. Sales tax will be added to all admission fees.

For more information on the Spring Festival of Flowers or the Huntsville Botanical Garden, visit www.hsvbg.org or call Nicole Hogan at 256.830.4447 ext. 290. The Huntsville Botanical Garden is located at 4747 Bob Wallace Avenue in Huntsville.

About Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association (AMLA)

AMLA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion and development of the travel industry within the 16 northernmost counties of the state. It is supported by 500-plus members consisting of chambers of commerce, Convention & Visitors Bureaus, attractions, campgrounds, festivals, communities, counties, golf courses, restaurants, tour operators, accommodations, vendors, financial institutions and individuals. Counties included within the AMLA region are Blount, Cherokee, Colbert, Cullman, DeKalb, Etowah, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Morgan and Winston. Additional information on North Alabama destinations, accommodations and special events is available from the AMLA by calling 800.648.5381 or by visiting their web site at www.northalabama.org.

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