First Community Bank will be the presenting sponsor at the Arkansas Flower and Garden Show to be held on Feb. 28, 29, and March 1 at the Arkansas State Fairgrounds, featuring gardening expert P. Allen Smith, the bank said in a release.
The release said the show is the premiere horticultural event in Arkansas with around 12,000 visitors, 100 vendors, and seven beautiful display gardens. This year’s theme will be “2020: A Garden Odyssey.”
“I’m grateful for my partnership with First Community Bank, and I’m looking forward to revealing our booth space at this year’s show,” said P. Allen Smith. “Stop in to see a fantastic garden display from Moss Mountain Farm and allow me to share gardening tips and tricks to enhance your gardening experience.”
“At First Community Bank we believe in supporting both our community and the environment,” said Dale Cole, chairman and CEO of First Community Bank. “We want people to experience the state’s largest flower and garden show, but we also want them to stay and learn about the importance of horticulture and sustainability within their communities.”
Attendees are invited to join Smith on Friday, Feb. 28 at 11 a.m. in Barton Coliseum as he presents: “A Plant Geek’s Manifesto: Getting your hands in the soil and why it’s important.”
Visitors of the show will have access to more than 90 vendors, tour inspiring display gardens, receive gardening tips, see industry trends, visit a spectacular juried flower show and find fresh ideas at the professional florists’ tabletop competition. They will also receive a “First Community Bank Bloom with Us” tote bag and other giveaway items while supplies last.
Proceeds of the event go to support college scholarships in horticulture-related fields in Arkansas and fund “The Greening of Arkansas” grant program, which provides community beautification grants to communities throughout Arkansas.
In 2019, First Community Bank partnered with Smith on a statewide initiative called the “Bloom with Us” program, to design and install pollinator gardens at over 20 bank locations throughout Arkansas, with one extending into Jane, Mo.
“Bloom With Us” beautifies the community while raising awareness of the benefits of pollinators and hopefully encouraging others to do the same, the bank said in the release.
