On Saturday April 5, 2014 Queens Botanical Garden will kick off its Opening Weekend and World’s Fairs Anniversary Season with a special exhibit, Taiwan: A World of Orchids, presented in partnership with the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO-NY).

The exhibit will feature a stunning array of orchids on view from 9am to 3pm. Children’s botanical craft activities will be offered from 10am to 5pm and a traditional Chinese tea ceremony as well as a performance on the guqin, a traditional Chinese 7-stringed zither, will take place from 1:45 to 2:30pm. There will be a special appearance by the famous “Techno Prince” Dancing Doll from 12:45 to 12:55pm on the Terrace. Snacks will be provided courtesy of QBG Trustee Pauline Huang and souvenirs courtesy of the Tourism Division of TECO-NY (while supplies last.) In addition, a tour of the Garden led by QBG’s Director of Education Emeritus will depart from the Visitor & Administration Building Terrace at 1pm. The event is free with Garden admission. ($4 for adults; $3 for seniors; $2 for students and children; free for QBG members.)

Prized for its beauty and mysteriously complex shapes and colors, the orchid is royalty among flowers. With its subtropical marine climate, the Republic of China (Taiwan) has a century-long tradition of cultivating these special flowers. Today, Taiwan is the foremost center for research and development of the orchid industry and is the world’s largest orchid exporter.

“It is particularly appropriate that QBG is leading off its World’s Fairs Anniversary Season with Taiwan: A World of Orchids,” commented Susan Lacerte, QBG’s Executive Director. “Taiwan was the first nation to break ground on its pavilion at the 1964 World’s Fair and fifty years later, our friends at TECO-NY are celebrating the anniversary with us by sponsoring this exquisite event.”

On Sunday April 6, Opening Weekend festivities will continue with children’s activities from 2-5, an all-day plant and orchid sale, and special appearances by Flora the QBG mascot. A tour of the Garden led by QBG’s Director of Education Emeritus will depart from the Visitor & Administration Building Terrace at 1pm. Join us both days!

For more, please visit: www.queensbotanical.org ‘)}