Boca's Valentine's Orchid Show and Sale returns after COVID pause

Jayne Kupperman of Boynton Beach is seen through an orchid arrangement by Homestead-based Soroa Orchids at the Boca Raton Orchid Society Show & Sale at the Safe Schools Institute in Boca Raton, Fla., on Saturday, February 10, 2018. "The colors are fabulous and brilliant," said Kupperman of the varieties of orchids on display. Dozens of vendors brought orchid displays and arrangements for hundreds of flower lovers to view and purchase.

BOCA RATON — The Boca Raton Orchid Society missed its chance to raise nearly $10,000 last year at its annual Valentine's Orchid Show and Sale, the only fundraiser that supports its educational initiatives.

But with the return of the event this year, the nonprofit's leader began to breathe a sigh of relief. For the first time since the coronavirus threat became clear, devoted orchid lovers will get to view the vibrant flowers and support the society's mission.

"The hardest thing I had to do was cancel our show for 2021," Boca Raton Orchid Society President Kathy Kersey said. "It was out of my control. It was out of everybody's control.

"You so badly wanted to have the show because you know people needed it," she said.


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The upcoming orchid show will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 12 and 13 at Safe Schools Institute, 1790 Spanish River Blvd. .

The Boca Raton Orchid Society will hold its annual Valentine’s Orchid Show and Sale the weekend of Feb. 12 and 13.
The Boca Raton Orchid Society will hold its annual Valentine’s Orchid Show and Sale the weekend of Feb. 12 and 13.

The show will include two lectures, "Beautiful Blooms With The Right Supplies" and "Orchid Growing 101."

"A lot of people love orchids," Kersey said. "They see them at people's houses, but they don't have a clue how to grow them or what they need to be a successful grower.

"That's honestly what it's all about — teaching and education. A lot of our members will be on hand to answer any questions they may have."

What Kersey missed most about the orchid show was the enthusiasm of other orchid hobbyists.

"Everybody who walks in that door is happy. They came because they wanted to."

Tony Millet, a student judge from the West Palm Beach Judging Center of the American Orchid Society, examines a hybrid orchid on display at the Boca Raton Orchid Society Show & Sale at the Safe Schools Institute in Boca Raton, Fla., on Saturday, February 10, 2018. Dozens of vendors brought orchid displays and arrangements for hundreds of flower lovers to view and purchase.

With the event happening before Valentine's Day, she said, visitors can expect to find a lasting gift for their valentines.

"Instead of buying a bouquet of flowers from a florist, they can come and buy a plant that's going to rebloom every year," Kersey said.


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Admission to the event is $5 with advance tickets available for $3. .

The proceeds will support an after-school orchid program at a local elementary school, the Million Orchid Project, Or-Kids project at Pine Jog Environmental Center, the Orchid Short Course at the University of Florida in Gainesville and a yearly horticultural scholarship at Florida Atlantic University.

vvillanueva@pbpost.com

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Boca Raton Orchid Society Valentine's Show returns after COVID pause