2022 NW Flower & Garden Festival – Flower Show Helpers Needed

Flower Show Helpers Needed

The 2022 NW Flower and Garden Festival is fast approaching. We are in need of YOU to help us build our 1,008 sq ft orchid garden.

I have broken out each day into 3-hour shifts to make things easier. Feel free to sign up for one or more shifts as your time allows.

If you would like to sign-up, please send an email to FGS@NWOS.ORG with your requested shift(s) and contact information. A sponsor will be purchasing new name badges for volunteers who sign up before the end of day January the 14th.


“Setup” workpasses – for those of you who sign up to help us build or teardown the garden, you can obtain a “Workpass” from the WSCC door guards as you enter the Show floor (4th floor) Convention Center. The same goes if you enter via the Hand-Carried Freight elevator entrance in the Main parking garage between Pike and Seneca streets.

“Show” wristbands – for those of you who sign up to work a shift during the Show (Feb 9 – 13), your color-coded wristbands (unique for each day) will be available at the Will-Call window on the 4th floor. From the Pike Street entrance, follow the escalator signs up to the 4th floor Atrium, turn left to see the “Will-Call” window. Just give your Name and “NWOS” to get your envelope. Your envelope will contain all of the wristbands needed to enter each day that you signed up to work.

So, make sure you sign up!


Below are the days and shifts that need a few more helpers. All shifts require wearing a mask per WA State Covid guidelines. The minimum age allowed on the floor during Setup and Teardown is 16 and no pets.

Saturday, February 5 – This is “heavy lifting” day. Bring gloves and dress in layers. If previous years are an indication, there may be some “standing around” waiting for our materials to arrive.

  • 9 am to 12 pm
  • 12 pm to 3 pm
  • 3 pm to 6 pm

Sunday, February 6 – Finishing of the hardscape materials, installing foliage plants, and slinging sawdust. Orchids arrive today and will need to be labeled and grouped by color.

  • 9 am to 12 pm
  • 3 pm to 6 pm

Monday, February 7 – Orchids are labeled, grouped by color, and installed in the garden and greenhouse today. Sod and planters are installed. More orchids will probably arrive today. Moss and low-voltage lights are installed towards end of day.

  • 9 am to 12 pm
  • 12 pm to 3 pm
  • 3 pm to 6 pm
  • 6 pm to 9 pm
  • 9 pm to 12 am

Tuesday, February 8 – This is “finishing touches” day.

  • 7 am to 12 pm

Per King County and State regulations, to be allowed entry into the Show (Feb 9 – 13) all people ages 12 and older will be required to show “proof of full Covid-19 vaccination” or a negative test result. Wearing a mask is required for all shifts.

Wednesday, February 9

  • 12 pm to 3 pm
  • 3 pm to 6 pm
  • 6 pm to 8 pm

Thursday, February 10

  • 9 am to 12 pm
  • 3 pm to 6 pm
  • 6 pm to 8 pm

Friday, February 11

  • 12 pm to 3 pm
  • 3 pm to 6 pm
  • 6 pm to 8 pm

Saturday, February 12

  • 12 pm to 3 pm
  • 3 pm to 6 pm
  • pm to 8 pm

Sunday, February 13

  • 12 pm to 3 pm
  • 3 pm to 6 pm
  • 6 pm to 9 pm … Show Teardown begins (no proof of vaccination required after 6 pm), bag the moss, group orchids by owner, pick up your orchids, palletize the bricks and pavers

Monday, February 14 – Teardown, put remaining pavers and bricks on pallets, help the Zoo load foliage plants on their vehicles, and clean up site as needed

  • 8 am until finished. Hopefully by 6 pm due to General Meeting that evening

NOTE: The orchids within the garden (not inside the greenhouse) were bought-in and can be purchased at the February 14 Meeting to help the Society recoup its costs. Anything left over will be available at the March 14 Auction. But get the plants early while they are still in bloom!

~ Joff Morgan