Fest a hybrid of beautiful plants, people
SUN PHOTO BY GARY ROBERTS
Ann Imler, a Charlotte County Historical Center board member since 1982, dons a homemade, flowered hat while judging the Lil Miss Hibiscus Pageant.
SUN PHOTO BY GARY ROBERTS
Deb Mechnig, left, of Deep Creek talks with Annie Sprague, Mitch Armstrong Nursery manager, before buying a pair of canna lilies at the Hibiscus Festival in Gilchrist Park.
SUN PHOTO BY GARY ROBERTS
Vic Desguin and Elise Haymans are the newly crowned King and Queen of Hibiscus.
SUN PHOTO BY GARY ROBERTS
Gilchrist Park was the place to be Saturday for exotic plants, and those who appreciate them, during the 10th annual Hibiscus Festival, which continues today.
PUNTA GORDA — With a wagon in tow, Bill and Karen Adkins already have rounded up some fancy pansies, orchids, queen’s wreath and Madagascar jasmine. They come every year to what is now the 10th Annual Punta Gorda Hibiscus Festival, and each time they buy a few colorful keepsakes for their expansive Charlotte Ranchettes yard.
“And every year, we spend our grocery money,” Karen said. “We’ve been through several wagons.”
