With more than 24,000 accepted species of orchids, it’s no wonder that the orchid festival at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden will draw a crowd.

Orchids on the Riverbank, a festival featuring hundreds of live blooming orchid plants, runs Friday-Sunday. The American Orchid Society will judge flower contests on two levels before the festival opens to the public.

There will be several educational workshops covering orchid-related topics, including a seminar about ikebana floral arrangements. Members of the Ikebana International Chapter will showcase the Japanese art of flower arranging, which emphasizes a sense of harmony, unlike Western flower arrangements that focus on color, quantity and beauty.

Orchid species specialists from across the region will be available to answer questions and offer guidance about growing orchids in S.C. If you don’t know much about orchids or just want to appreciate the beauty, vendors will offer live plants for purchase.

The orchid festival is at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, 1300 Botanical Parkway, from noon-5 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission into the garden is $8.75. Friday admission is free for Richland and Lexington county residents throughout February with a valid ID.

source : www.thestate.com