Lemcke Landscape created a vegetable and fruit tabletop arrangement as part of its display garden at Orchard In Bloom in 2012. © Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp
A 25-year tradition has come to an end. After a year on hiatus, Orchard in Bloom has been discontinued by The Orchard School.
The decision was made after a year of study, said school officials on the orchardinbloom.org website. Orchard in Bloom was placed on hiatus in 2015 because major construction projects at Holliday Park, and its future seemed uncertain. (In the interest of full disclosure, I was proud to serve as honorary chair of Orchard in Bloom in 2008.)
“In recognition that the needs of the school’s parent community have changed, the Orchard Parents’ Association and The Orchard School have decided not to continue Orchard In Bloom. This decision was not made lightly,” said the website’s post, signed by Tom Rosenbluth, head of school; Colleen O’Brien, Parents’ Association president; Trisha Lautenbach, chair of the board of trustees; and Debbie Mattingly, OIB special events coordinator.
The Parents’ Association was the driving force behind the garden show, a huge volunteer effort that raised at least $200,000 for Holliday Park, the site of the three-day event, recently held the first weekend in May.
“I’m proud of the pride the parents, students, teachers and administrators took in producing this back-breaking, yet fantastic event each year,” said Amy MacDonell, who was co-chair twice between 2000 and 2010, and a committee chair for eight years. “OIB was the perfect intersection of community event, fundraiser for the school and benefit for Holliday Park and the perfect example to our kids how important it is to give back to community interests. I’m sad that OIB is now a memory, but deeply respect the school and the parents association for the tough decision process regarding the future of the show.”
The much-anticipated annual Orchard in Bloom festival united the best of The Orchard School with the best of the greater Indianapolis community, said Jamie Snyder, who was OIB co-chair in 2003. “Local vendors brought their finest work, which paired wonderfully with the crafts and items contributed by Orchard students, parents and volunteers. Our parents, students, volunteers, vendors, speakers and guests all created a delightful experience that will live and reward us all for a very long time,” she said.
Gus Lemcke, owner of Lemcke Landscape, won several awards for the gardens he created for Orchard in Bloom during 10 years of participation. Although it was good exposure and it generated some business, “I did it because it was in the community I live in and it was a way to give back,” he said. “I guess it has run its course.”