LOUISVILLE, Ky., April 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Continuing
the tradition that began in 1987, with the 113th
Kentucky Derby, Kroger master floral designers are again honored to
create "The Garland of Roses". The event will take place on
Friday, May 6th, at the
Middletown Kroger store located at 12501 Shelbyville Road, in
Louisville, KY. The best time for
visitors to see the crafting of this year's Garland will be from
4 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Derby Eve. Last
year, more than 6,000 people came to see this all-night
event.
Kroger will have the completed Garland on display until
8:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 7th. At precisely
9:30 a.m. the day of the race, the
Garland, along with the Jockey's Bouquet, will be transported to
Churchill Downs in two 2016 Ram ProMaster vans with a police
escort. It will then be on public display near the Clubhouse Garden
under the Jockey's Club Balcony from 10:30
a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Kroger designers will be on hand to answer
questions and speak with the spectators.
"With the Garland of Roses being such an important part of the
Kentucky Derby tradition it is a true honor for our team of floral
designers to be involved," said Carol
Belser, Manager of the Kroger Floral Center in Louisville.
The history of the Garland dates to 1932, when the first one was
designed by Louisvillian Grace Walker at the request of Churchill
Downs. It replaced a horseshoe of roses that had been presented to
previous Derby winners.
The Derby Garland is 122 inches long and 22 inches wide, and
weighs approximately 40 lbs. More than 450 Rainforest Alliance
Certified "Freedom" roses are placed on the garland. Each stem is
inserted into its own water vial hidden inside the garland backing
and carefully hand sewn into place, on a layer of thorn-less
greenhouse foliage.
The "Freedom" rose embodies elegance and grace in keeping with
the high standards of excellence exhibited in the Derby. The roses
are framed with an attractive hand-made border of boxwood, camellia
and coffee leaves. To complete the design, custom-made ribbons are
tied to fronds at each end and to the crown of roses at the center.
A special rose is placed in the center to symbolize the struggle
and heart needed to reach the Winner's Circle.
Along with the Derby Garland, Kroger is honored to create the
Oaks Garland for the 25th consecutive year. This event
is open to the public and will also take place at the Shelbyville
Road Kroger from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m.
on Thursday, May 5th.
The Oaks Garland has a slightly feminine look; with more than
140 white Star Fighter Lilies. Each blossom is hand tied into its
own water vial. "The Lilies for the Fillies" is 20 inches wide, 116
inches long and weighs approximately 20 pounds upon completion. The
Garland is trimmed in a border of Oak Ivy leaves symbolic of this
prestigious event.
Every day, the Kroger Family of Companies makes a difference in
the lives of eight and a half million customers and 431,000
associates who shop or serve in 2,778 retail food stores under a
variety of local banner names in 35 states and the District of Columbia. Kroger and its
subsidiaries operate an expanding ClickList offering – a
personalized, order online, pick up at the store service – in
addition to our 2,231 pharmacies, 784 convenience stores, 323 fine
jewelry stores, 1,387 supermarket fuel centers and 38 food
production plants in the United
States. Kroger is recognized as one of America's most
generous companies for its support of more than 100 Feeding America
food bank partners, breast cancer research and awareness, the
military and their families, and more than 145,000 community
organizations including schools. A leader in supplier diversity,
Kroger is a proud member of the Billion Dollar
Roundtable.
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SOURCE The Kroger Co.