In Erongarícuaro, a golden calla lily and a pot of deep purple Martha Washington geraniums made us smile.
Sometimes the simplest things turn out to be the best: the most fun, the most beautiful, the most memorable. When Mexico Cooks! slipped into Erongarícuaro to see the annual flower show during Semana Santa (Holy Week), we had no idea what to expect or what a lovely hour we would enjoy.
At the flower show opening, Eleazar Aparicio Tercero (Erongarícuaro's mayor, who served as master of ceremonies) presented each of the organizing committee members with a certificate of appreciation.
Erongarícuaro's Parroquia de la Asunción de la Señora (Parish of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin) hosted this year's flower show. This small-town Feria de las Flores (Flower Fair) began in 1974 but was discontinued after a few years. In 2002, various ladies of the town re-initiated the fair and it's been popular among local home gardeners ever since.
Lovingly cultivated pink malvas were a popular exhibit.
We were amazed by the size and variety of home-grown azucenas (amaryllis).
We thought we'd see professionally arranged displays of flower arrangements at the flower show. We were thrilled to realize that all of these flowers were thriving potted plants grown by home gardeners. The seasonal blooms were sensational.
These tiny orange orchids are known locally as Espíritu Santo (Holy Spirit).
The variety of flowers presented at the show included bougainvilleas (known in this region as camelinas), orchids, geraniums, roses, cactus, and others.
An exhibit of miniature succulents and other greenery, planted in colorful 2" high yoghurt containers and egg shells, won a first prize and created quite a buzz of conversation among fairgoers.
More amaryllis, this variety sported huge cream and pink blossoms.
The proceeds from the 2009 Feria de las Flores will be added to funds set aside for building a commercial greenhouse for gladiolas in Erongarícuaro and an orquidarium in nearby Uricho.
Alstromeria (Peruvian lily).
The 2010 Feria de las Flores in Erongarícuaro will include flowers, products made from local fruit–including wines–and regional culinary exhibits. Commercial flower growers in the area will once again benefit from the fair.
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