Antiques & Garden Fair

The Antiques & Garden Fair, the signature spring event of the Chicago Botanic Garden, offers classical and contemporary garden furnishings, antiques and collectible art from more than 100 exhibitors from the United States and Europe.

The Fair will be held April 15-17, 2011, in the Regenstein Center and in tented pavilions on the Esplanade, Rose Garden and Runnells and Searle Courtyards.

The theme this year is Landscapes Transformed: Gardens of a New Era. Garden “wows” will be donated and installed by premier landscape designers, including Craig Bergmann Landscape Design, Inc., William Heffernan Landscapes, Mariani Landscape, Schmechtig Landscape Company and Maria Smithburg with Manfredini Landscaping and Design.

Additionally, flower-arranging experts will stage complimentary demonstrations at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. on April 16 and 17.

This year’s featured speaker will be Peter Wirtz, renowned Belgian landscape architect and principal in Wirtz International. He will discuss contemporary gardens in his lecture, “Formal and Informal in Contemporary Gardens,” at 10:30 a.m. April 15 in the Alsdorf Auditorium.

Fair hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on all three days. Advance tickets are available beginning March 1 online or in person at the Visitor Center Information Desk. Fair tickets are $15 at the door and $12 in advance. Accompanied by an adult, children under the age of 16 are free. On site parking is $20 per car, but the Chicago Botanic Garden Trolley will operate between the Garden and the Glencoe Metra station during fair hours. Round trip tickets are $2.

Garden connoisseurs might consider attending the preview evening from 6 to 10 p.m. April 14, 2011. It offers priority shopping and a preview of the garden exhibits plus buffets and refreshments. Tickets start at $200 per person.

Proceeds from the Fair benefit the Chicago Botanic Garden’s conservation, education and research programs.

The Chicago Botanic Garden is a 385-acre living plant museum featuring 24 distinct display gardens and four natural areas. Opened to the public in 1972, it is managed by the Chicago Horticultural Society. The Chicago Botanic Garden is accredited by the American Association of Museums and is a member of the American Public Gardens Association (APGA).

WHAT: Antiques & Garden Fair
WHEN: April 15 through April 17, 2011
WHERE: Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, Illinois (map)
TICKETS: $15 at the door

(Photo courtesy of Chicago Botanic Garden)