MELNA announces cancellation of 2022 Maine Flower Show

The Maine Landscape & Nursery Association, which organizes the renowned Maine Flower Show, announced the cancellation of the 2022 Maine Flower Show due to the active coronavirus pandemic. In its place, MELNA will host a new commerce-focused event, The Maine Garden + Marketplace, as a way for the gardening community to safely gather at a more manageable scale and support local gardening businesses with significantly reduced risk.

“As we did in 2020 and again in 2021, the Maine Landscape & Nursery Association has been closely monitoring guidance from federal, state, and local public health officials in order to make the best possible decision regarding the Maine Flower Show in 2022,” said Don Sproul, executive director of MELNA. “We take this responsibility very seriously; not only is the MFS the single largest event that MELNA holds - historically attracting more than 20,000 people and over 100 vendors to Thompson’s Point each year - but it is also the single largest event that promotes our industry, showcases our work, and grows our businesses.”

“The MELNA Executive Committee considered the measures required to safely accommodate all attendees based on current public health guidance. Ultimately, we made the difficult but necessary decision to cancel the Maine Flower Show in 2022,” said Sproul.

As MELNA’s largest and most highly attended event of the year, the Maine Flower Show presents unique challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic given the demographics of attendees and event logistics. More than 30% of visitors are aged 65 and over, and roughly 20% come from out of state.

In lieu of the MFS, MELNA is producing a new event: The Maine Garden + Marketplace, a three-day indoor market for gardeners of all experience levels to get an early start on spring garden planning and supplies, happening March 25-27, 2022. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet with, learn from and commerce with over 100 garden supply and services merchants within the comfort and convenience of Brick South at Thompson’s Point in Portland, Maine. Official event information will be available at www.mainegardenplusmarketplace.com.

Guests will be able to view and purchase supplies from independent garden centers and nurseries as well as products from garden and yard-related small businesses. Guests will also be able to speak with professionals and discuss new ideas for their gardens and property.

“While the Maine Garden + Marketplace will not feature our signature display garden competition and awards, it provides an important opportunity for the gardening community to safely gather at a more manageable scale and with significantly reduced risk,” said Mark Faunce, chairperson of the Maine Flower Show. “We hope to bring back these events as the centerpiece of the Maine Flower Show in 2023, if conditions permit.”

For more information, please visit www.maineflowershow.com or www.melna.org.