Richmond Rose Garden volunteers are organizing the ninth annual 1stBLOOM&GLOW fundraiser on Wednesday, June 7.
The event features inflating hot air balloons to draw a crowd and help increase awareness of the garden in its 36th year at Glen Miller Park. The garden operates on donations and is maintained by volunteers.
The words “1st Bloom” in the name refer to the beginning of the rose blooming season, typically just in time for the event.
Several hot air balloons will glow at dusk around 9 p.m. a few feet from the garden at Glen Miller’s golf facility and walking trails in the 2500 block of East Main Street.
Admission is free for the glow. Guests should bring their own seating.
Those who purchase $30 food tickets in advance can visit local caterers’ food stations around the garden from 6:30-8:30 p.m. A limited number of tickets are available at Wayne County Convention & Tourism Bureau’s Old National Road Welcome Center, 5701 National Road E., and Wayne County Foundation, 33 S. Seventh St., both in Richmond.
Vendors plan to offer ice cream, chips, soft drinks and water as well as children’s activities outside the garden for an additional cost.
The event’s rain date is June 8.
The event is sponsored by businesses, organizations and individuals but volunteers and additional contributions of any amount are sought to help with garden maintenance. Donations may be sent in care of Wayne County Foundation marked for Rose Garden Fund, 33 S. Seventh St., Richmond, IN 47374, or made online at richmondrosegarden.com.
Richmond Rose A.A.R.S. Garden is open all year long and no admission is charged. The garden is wheelchair accessible. It includes 100 varieties of All-America Rose Selections, along with blooming annuals, perennials and ornamental trees.
For more information call 765-962-1638.
A version of this article appeared in the May 31 2023 print edition of the Western Wayne News.