Biltmore’s 25th Annual Festival of Flowers

Gorgeous blooms are in full glory as thousands of tulips welcome springtime during Biltmore’s 25th annual Festival of Flowers, April 3 – May 16, 2010. The estate-wide event celebrates the beauty of George Vanderbilt’s 8,000-acre property and its original design by Frederick Law Olmsted, father of American landscape architecture. Biltmore’s gardens, Olmsted’s final and most grand project, are in their 120th year, continuing to mature and are becoming more beautiful as time passes. For the first time, a cell phone audio tour of the gardens offering historical facts as well as more detailed information about plant varieties will also be available.

The 25th anniversary celebration of Festival of Flowers coincides with the grand opening of Antler Hill Village. This pedestrian-friendly venue will be open to guests as part of daily admission to Biltmore and expands current offerings to include a new exhibition space, village green with live entertainment, dining, shopping and a new outdoor adventure center. Biltmore Winery, located in the village area, will also be celebrating its 25th anniversary and will be offering a newly-designed tour and tasting room. Antler Hill Village will be open to guests during Festival of Flowers and a grand opening celebration is planned for May 20 – 23, 2010.

Floral décor this year will focus on the iris, fleur de lis and color silver, all symbolic of the 25th anniversary. Tulips – over 100,000 of them – will mark the beginning of the festival greeting visitors at Biltmore’s main entrance and continuing to the stunning colors in the Walled Garden and elsewhere around the estate. Guests won’t want to miss the vibrant colors in the 20-acre azalea garden and cascades of native and exotic blooms in the natural gardens and along the walking trails.

The entrance vestibule at Biltmore House will feature a fresh flower carpet design, and in the Entry Hall, six woven commemorative banners will hang, all designed and woven by local company Manual Woodworkers & Weavers. French influences with designs in blues, purples, soft yellow, soft greens, a touch of pink, burgundy and red will grace floral arrangements in Biltmore House.

In honor of the winery’s 25th anniversary, the conservatory display will take inspiration from Biltmore’s wines, with elaborate container gardens planted with beautiful colors and scents to represent selections. During the last half of the festival, the Walled Garden’s pattern beds will feature a fleur de lis design.

With so much to celebrate, festivities across the estate will include music in Biltmore House and other locations, tips from Biltmore gardeners and innovative displays in the conservatory. Biltmore Winery will host live music, wine tastings, seminars and children’s activities. Seasonal Festival of Flowers wines are crafted each year to mark the occasion. In addition, Biltmore’s restaurants will feature special silver anniversary menus, drinks and desserts. See below for the full schedule of events.

Activities–In the Gardens

“Ask a Biltmore Gardener” station under the Arbor – Guests may ask Biltmore gardeners their gardening questions, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays

Conservatory, 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., daily
Live music and innovative container garden displays created by Biltmore gardeners

Activities–Antler Hill Village

The Bandstand on the Village Green
Listen to live music, beginning at 2 p.m. daily

The Barn
Enjoy live music and farm-life demonstrations, Saturdays and Sundays

Activities–At the Winery

Red Wine and Chocolate Seminars, daily
Learn how these divine treats complement each other.

Wine Bar, 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., Sundays
Featuring music at 3:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on select dates
Enjoy a glass or bottle of your favorite Biltmore wine while listening to music. Add a cheese or tapas plate for an afternoon snack.

Grape Stomp and Children’s Activities, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays
Children of all ages who stomp grapes can take home their grape juice hand and footprints as a keepsake.

Behind-the-Scenes Production Tour, 4 p.m. and 5 p.m., daily
Explore the winery’s production areas and learn how Biltmore wines are crafted.

Activities–Across the Estate

A Gardener’s Place, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., daily
Let Biltmore gardeners reveal helpful hints for decorating your home with fresh flowers, tips for crafting a stunning wreath and more.

Special seminars each day:
• 1 p.m.: Creating five-minute centerpieces
• 2 p.m.: How to "wreath" your door into spring
• 3 p.m.: Learn the basics of growing roses

Deerpark Restaurant
Art Show featuring works by members of the Blue Ridge Watermedia Society, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.

April 4th Easter Sunday Egg Hunt

Front Lawn
Visits with the Easter Rabbit from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Children’s Music and Stories – Special songs and stories for our littlest guests
Thirty-minute sets beginning at 9:45 a.m., 11:45 a.m. and 1:45 p.m.

Magic Shows at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Easter Egg Hunts at 11a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
• Registration begins at 9 a.m. and will close 15 minutes before each hunt
• Designed for children ages 2 to 9 years old
• Children will need to bring their own basket

Activity Area from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Crafts, coloring pages and word find games

In addition to Biltmore House and Gardens, estate admission includes entry to Biltmore Winery, Antler Hill Village, specialty gift shops and restaurants. Spring is the perfect time to take advantage of Biltmore’s unique surroundings by taking part in the Explore Biltmore program. Outdoor activities include hiking, biking, rafting, kayaking, horseback riding, carriage rides, Segway tours, a sporting clays program and a Land Rover Driving School. Guests looking for accommodations will enjoy the four-star Inn on Biltmore Estate, which provides a variety of packages. For more information or reservations, contact Biltmore at 877.BILTMORE or visit www.biltmore.com.