The Antiques & Garden Fair kicks off spring at the Garden with the theme, "Great American Gardens." Staged in the Regenstein Center with tents over the Esplanade, Rose Garden and Courtyards, the Fair will feature not only antique dealers, but also inspirational exhibit gardens and exquisite floral designs as focal points among the antique displays. Shoppers on the hunt for classical and contemporary furnishings, botanical art, and jewelry will find a variety of treasures in every price range.
Garden "wows" will be donated and installed by premier landscape designers, including William Heffernan Landscapes in the Krehbiel Gallery, Mariani Landscape in the Esplanade Tent, Craig Bergmann Landscape Design, Inc. in the Rose Garden Tent, Rosborough Partners, Inc. and Schmechtig Landscape Company in the North Marquee.
New to this year's Fair will be five of Chicago's most outstanding floral designers showcasing their talents: Botanicals, Inc., Designs by Jody, Heffernan-Morgan, Kehoe Designs and Kim Merlin.
"Each of the floral designers will transform their booth space just as they do when they create some of the area's most exquisite private parties, weddings and benefit galas," said Donna LaPietra, co-producer of the Antiques & Garden Fair. "We are very excited about the return of the Fair, recognized as the country's finest. It tops any "must-do" list for celebrating the return of spring."
Additionally, flower arranging experts will stage complimentary demonstrations to fair-goers at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday of the Fair.
The Preview evening, featuring priority shopping and elegant fare, is on Thursday, April 15 from 6 to 10 p.m. Tickets start at $200 per person and are available by phone at (847) 835-6944. Preview co-chairs are Cathy Busch, Betsy Karp and Alison McNally.
Alessandra Branca, an Italian-born interior designer based in Chicago, will present a lecture entitled "New Classic Interiors" that shares her approach for creating elegant and comfortable interiors at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, April 16. Branca will sign copies of her recently released book, "New Classic Interiors" following the lecture. Cost is $35 in advance and includes a fair pass for Friday. Cost at the door is $45. Proceeds from the sale of Branca's book at the Fair will benefit the Garden's conservation, education and research programs.
Fair hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Advance tickets are available starting March 1 online at chicagobotanic.org or in person at the Visitor Center Information Desk. Tickets are $12 in advance; $10 in advance for members. Tickets at the door are $15 for all. Children under age 16 are free with an adult. For safety reasons, strollers are not permitted in the Fair. Parking at the Chicago Botanic Garden is $20 per car; free for Garden members.
The Antiques & Garden Fair is produced in conjunction with Stella Show Mgmt. Co., New York. Co-producers of the 2010 Antiques & Garden Fair are Donna LaPietra, Jane O'Neil and Susan Canmann; artistic director is Bill Heffernan; Alessandra Branca is the honorary chair of the Fair and Preview. Proceeds from the Fair benefit the Chicago Botanic Garden's conservation, education and research programs.
Northern Trust is the principal sponsor. Additional sponsors include Blackman Kallick, Manifesto! Wines, Craig Bergmann Landscape Design, Inc., Mariani Landscape, Schmechtig Landscape Company, and William Heffernan Landscapes.
