Day two being a Saturday, the Covai Flower Show drew larger crowds compared to Friday. The car and two-wheeler park overflowed with vehicles and queues became longer as the evening progressed. And, the show had more to offer than just the flowers.
Students and public eagerly took part in the rangoli, vegetable carving and flower arrangement competitions held at the Botanic Garden as part of the fifth edition of the show. There were also dance performances and a healthy baby show that attracted a large crowd.
Students from schools and colleges, and women who were homemakers or otherwise employed made creative designs using colourful flowers. They were also seen making vegetable carving arrangements and flower arrangements. Since the organisers had not given any particular theme, the contestants
The healthy baby show saw babies under three years take part. Though the participants – aged between one and three years – were fortified to ‘walk the ramp’, the more than an hour delay and the interspersing of the contest with performances of students of a dance school, could not make them keep up the tempo. Though the dances were entertaining, parents had some difficulty in managing those who became increasingly uncomfortable because of the delay.
In spite of this, there were some delightful moments as some of the tiny tots lisped nursery rhymes, danced a jig to some random music and waved a bye to a cheering audience.
The Bonsai display was greatly admired by visitors. Trees, as young as seven years to as old as 51 years, were on show. Kigelia Pinnata sat majestically in her 51-year glory, while 37-year old Ficus Religiosa had a small ‘Ganesha’ nestled in its small branches. The 25-year old Mangifera Indica had a full-sized mango hanging from one of its branches.
Seven-year old Nivedha posed with as many Bonsai trees as possible. Her mother said that for children getting an opportunity to see a miniature tree was a very different experience, because it was not commonly available.
The vintage car show was also a major draw. Young and old alike took a look at the models from as early as the 1940s. There were the Austin A30, Fiat 1100, Morris Minor, and Willys jeep, to name a few.
Never to miss a chance, the homemakers in them urged many women to buy the utility items that were on sale on at the commercial stalls. The nursery sold many saplings, manure and other farm utility items for those with house gardens.
Kids enjoyed finding their way through the flower maze. A common sight that caught the eyes was cameras clicking away. Almost all visitors were busy capturing their loved ones with the beautiful flowers as a backdrop.
The show, organised jointly by Tamil Nadu Agricultural University and Rotary Coimbatore Uptown, will end on Sunday. The Hindu is the media partner for the event. The show is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
