5 reasons BloomaPalooza should be your summertime event destination

NOTE: As of 7/1/2013, BloomaPalooza 2013 has been canceled. Click here for more information: https://www.gardencentermagazine.com/bloomapalooza-2013-cancelled.aspx

1: BloomaPalooza will have you singing in the sunshine.
We chose our musical line-up as much for their musical prowess as for their connection to the green industry and nature. Robin Macy lends her expertise at the Bartlett Arboretum, The Ragbirds tour the country in their diesel tour bus converted to run on waste vegetable oil, Jamburger’s Chris Baker is the owner of Bakers Acres, a top-notch retail greenhouse in Ohio, and Half Moon Jack’s AJ Neitenbach is a full-blown farmer who grows veggies, hops, herbs and more. So as you’re enjoying the performances, you can feel good about supporting colleagues and nature-loving musicians.

See the whole entertainment line-up at www.bloomapalooza.com/entertainment.aspx.

2: Pair your trip to BloomaPalooza with the Michigan Garden Plant Tour.
Did you know that the Raker Trial Gardens is a stop on the annual Michigan Garden Plant Tour? BloomaPalooza is being held right in the middle of the two-week period when young plant producers and Michigan State University will be welcoming growers and industry professionals looking to learn more about how new and existing varieties fare in different environments. There are a total of seven stops on the tour, and you can visit as few or as many of the stops as you’d like, at your own pace. It’s the perfect opportunity to pause at the Raker stop for a few days and check out BloomaPalooza and the Trial Gardens in all their glory.

To learn more about the Michigan Garden Plant Tour, visit http://planttour.hrt.msu.edu.

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Top to bottom: Pause for a few days to enjoy BloomaPalooza and the Raker Trial Gardens this August. | Robin Macy is a nature lover and performer at BloomaPalooza. | Join us for fun, kid-friendly activities. | Studies show that learning retention is enhanced when you're outside. Reading and Facepainting Photos : THINKSTOCKPHOTOS.COM

3: You’ll learn more outside.
When we spoke with keynote speaker Dr. Charlie Hall a few months ago, he brought up some of the benefits of learning in an outdoor environment. “Something that most folks don’t recognize is that whenever you’re out in nature, learning retention is enhanced by as much as 20 percent,” Hall says. “The fact that we’re going to be outside in the midst of it in an outdoor classroom type of environment [at BloomaPalooza] makes it more exciting.”

For more on the educational program, visit www.bloomapalooza.com/education.aspx.

4: Where else can you have this much fun?
There’s something for everyone at BloomaPalooza. For the music buffs, we’ve got a diverse line-up of high-quality musical talent ready to entertain you between educational sessions and exhibit tent visits in a music festival format. For the nature lovers, you can get your daily dose of vitamin D while perusing the 3,500+ plant varieties in the gardens. And you don’t have to leave your kids at home with a sitter - they’re more than welcome to come to BloomaPalooza and participate in the kid-friendly activities.

Visit www.bloomapalooza.com/overview.aspx to view the schedule.

5: You don’t have to break the bank to attend this high-quality event.
BloomaPalooza is one of the most affordable industry events around. With its low registration rates, special hotel deals and tasty, affordable, local foods, you can afford to bring more employees. Group discounts for groups of four or more people, as well as busloads or groups of 30 or more are available.

Visit www.bloomapalooza.com/pricing.aspx for more details.