Stopping and smelling the flowers at Omaha Cathedral’s annual floral festival
Hollywood came to Omaha recently as St. Cecelia Cathedral was the site of the 31st annual Cathedral Flower Festival. The two-day floral exhibit featured the theme “A Night at the Movies.” About 25 movies were used as the inspiration for floral designs by Omaha-area florists.
We took in the event with Lisa’s aunt Vicki and cousin-in-law Pasha. They are two of our all-time favorite people in the world, so it made for a great time. Vicki has attended the flower festival for almost five years.
We lucked out. Pasha beat all of us there and managed to get the four passes. Thus, our wait to go through the exhibit was only 30 minutes. Depending on when you arrive, visitors can expect to wait up to an hour. But, the wait is worth it. Plus, once you have a pass, you can visit the Wheatfield’s restaurant temporary location or tour the Catholic diocese’s museum at the visitors center.
Once inside the floral festival, the lines moved fairly quickly. You move at your pace, so if you want to spend extra time at one display, just wave others past. Everyone finds their favorite floral display and spends time at it.
The movie exhibits were well-decorated. It was difficult for me to identify a favorite. I liked the “King and I,” “Dr. Zhivago” and “E.T.”
The “King and I” featured beautiful floral arrangements. The mannequins were displayed in a scene from the movie.
Vicki and I both liked the “Dr. Zhivago” exhibit because of the all-white floral displays. A mannequin dressed in a white coat and hat accented the flowers.
“E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” was a favorite of all four of us. The display was simple, featuring a couple of props (including E.T. hiding under a blanket in a basket). A predominately green floral display acted as trees and grass while Elliott and E.T. fly overhead on their way to the rally point for E.T.’s ride home.
Oh, there were Reese’s Pieces, too.
Lisa’s favorite was “Gone with the Wind.” She liked the southern authenticity with the display. If you didn’t know you were standing inside a church, you could believe the exhibit was a southern plantation.
“The Phantom of the Opera” actually had great scenery. While the floral display was nice, the exhibit was strongly accentuated with a scene of the phantom with Christine on a boat in a tunnel.
Another favorite of Pashas’ was “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” The exhibit combined delicious-looking candy props with beautiful flowers.
“Grease” is the word! A rockin’ display featuring Sandy highlighted the 1970s movie. The display featured great props intertwined with flowers.
I ran into a friend after the festival. She and her daughter liked the “Wizard of Oz” display. They thought the exhibit was well-designed.
“Mary Poppins” was flying up high in the sky. The four of us thought the display was impressive to have her hanging from the ceiling. The floral display was attached to the end of pews.
“The Sound of Music” combined a side chapel as the wedding scene. Flowers were display around the altar.
The Cathedral flower show – presented by the civic group Cathedral Arts Project (the Omaha diocese isn’t involved with the festival) – is a success every year. This was our first time visiting the exhibit, but won’t be the last. We recommend checking it in January 2017.
For more information on the floral festival, please visit www.cathedralartsproject.org.
