The 11th annual Redland International Orchid Festival is coming to the Fruit and Spice Park May 18th. The Florida festival will be there until the 20th. Described as "America's favorite orchid festival", it features over 60 vendors from countries all over the world and it is a big part of Miami tourism.

The festival features venders that will allow you to get everything you will need to care of your own plants. The festival will also have speakers, some of the topics to be discussed are: Orchids of Jamaica, The Huntleya Alliance, General Orchid Care, Bulbophyllums, and Pests and Diseases of Orchids. Speakers will represent companies like Montes Orchids, Sidran Orchids and Carolina Orchids, among others. That is not all! Visitors to the florida festival will also be able to see demonstrations in Orchid care and learn about what types of plants are best suited to Florida's climate.

Besides all the educational opportunities the festival has to offer, there will also be things to buy. Big tents are going to store the plants you buy while you continue your expedition. Other thing you can see the Fruit and Spice Park located on the Historic Redland Trail. Also, inspectors from the Department of Agriculture will be available to provide everything people need if they are planning to take their plants out of the United States. There are small fees charged for any plants stored in the tents that will be given entirely to caring for children who are living with AIDS.

Contests to pick the best plants are also a big part of the festival. Entrants will be able to drop off their plants at the Park the day before the festival opens between noon and 3 PM. At 3 PM, the contest will begin.

Other perks provided at the Park for the 3-day festival include plenty of free parking space for visitors, shaded rest areas, food and drinks, as well as an ATM machine. You will also be able to go on educational tours of the grounds led by experts. If all that is not enough, check out the Fruit and Spice Park's shop where you will be able to buy a variety of drinks and books devoted to Orchid care.

Countries represented at the fair this year include Brazil, Thailand, Peru, Hawaii, Malaysia, Venezuela, and The United States (represented by many Florida cities as well as California and North Carolina). The show will be open from 9 AM to 5 PM each day, and at $5.00 a ticket, you can not beat it for affordable way to spend an afternoon.

The Fruit and Spice Park's beginnings date back to the early 1900's when two travelers came to Florida to hunt and earn money. One, Dan Roberts, was able to save enough money to buy over 100 acres of land, where he founded a grove and nursery. The land was later bought to build the park. It is the only Tropical Botanical garden located in the US, so do not miss the chance to see this and all the festival has to offer!