Entertainment & Special Events Occur Both Days Most are Free of Charge.
Small fees for puppet shows, carousel rides and children's rides and games. The 78th annual Flower Spark, May 5th and 6th, 2017 will be a celebration of the beginning of the All Hallows Guild's 2nd Century as stewards to the gardens and grounds of the Washington National Cathedral.
Come to Flower Spark to see and hear an amazing variety of performers on our main stage (in front of the Cathedral) for FREE on both Friday and Saturday.
Friday - (performance schedules will be posted in April)
Saturday - (performance schedules will be posted in April)
Special Events
On Saturday, take a strenuous climb for a beautiful city view. Climb the 333 steps to the dizzying heights of the bell-ringing chamber in the great Central Tower of Washington National Cathedral, 300 feet above the ground. Hear a demonstration of the bells and learn about the architecture of the Cathedral. Tower Climbs will be featured Saturday, 10 am to 3:30 pm (except noon) every half hour. $10 per person. View these photos by Vasu Jagannathan, to get a sense of the drama and beauty of a Tower Climb, click here.
Gargoyle Tours
A limited number of docent-led Cathedral Gargoyle Tours will be offered to the public on Saturday, May 7. This is a unique opportunity to get "up close & personal" with some of the gargoyles & grotesques on the Cathedral. Tickets may be purchased at Flower Spark for $20 per person.
International Floral Displays
Inside the Cathedral, the beautiful “Flowers Around the World” floral displays make the Nave even more breath-taking. Floral arrangements created by Washington Embassies give you a rare look at countries around the world through flowers. Viewing the displays, - FREE
Self-guided Tours
Tours of the medieval Bishop’s Garden and the beautiful Olmsted Woods and Amphitheater. No registration needed. Pickup your brochure guide at the Herb Cottage or the All Hallows Guild Booth.
All Hallows Guild Tent
Located at the NW corner of the Cathedral. Purchase gifts from the All Hallows Guild's Herb Cottage Gifts, enjoy a piece of our 100th birthday cake, make a reservation for Tea in the Tower, learn more about the work of the Guild - and pick up a Flower Spark t-shirt free!
White Elephant Booth
Our donors open their attics and cupboards providing treasures to delight you! As always - a wide array of collectibles, jewelry, china, crystal, prints, baskets and many other items for the home and Mother's Day - a bargain shoppers paradise.
NCS-STA Used Book Tent
A huge tent with an amazing variety of books (over 10,000 books!)- most priced between 50 cents and four dollars. We sell: hardback & paperback fiction, architecture, mysteries, children's books for all ages, classics, poetry, plays, Non-fiction books include history, travel, cooking, gardening, sports, self-help, child-rearing, & arts among others.
Premier Plants
Visitors will be treated to an amazing selection of shade, partial shade and sun loving perennials, annuals, herbs and numerous award winning and new plants at the Premier Plant Booth. If you have questions about your garden, or what plants would be best for you, the Montgomery County Master Gardeners will be at Flower Spark to help with your gardening questions.
Food At the Spark
You will not go home hungry from Flower Spark. There will be everything from traditional festival foods, barbecue, pizza, smoothies, Sunshine Catering grilled delicacies, soft ice cream, funnel cakes, hot dogs, hamburgers, fries and, of course, lobster rolls served both days.
The All Hallows Guild Tea Room
will be open this year at Flower Spark - serving an English Tea in the Tower of the Cathedral. The Guild serves tea on Tuesdays and Wednesdays through-out the year for our Tour and Tea program with the Cathedral's Visitor Services Department. As part of Flower Spark's celebration of the All Hallows Guild Centennial we will be offering several tea seatings during Flower Spark. Check back for a link to the Flower Spark Tea reservations.
The Episcopal Church Women
will again bring their array of tempting homemade baked goods: cookies, brownies, muffins, cakes, shortbread, breads, rolls and muffins. This year, bakers are experimenting with low-sugar and fat recipes and will produce some delicious options. Every year they sell out, so get to their booth early.
Swiss Bakery
will again be selling their delicious lobster rolls! A Flower Spark favorite.
Master Puppeteers
present a whimsical show, with charming puppets. The all-volunteer puppeteers have been working together for 40-plus years to delight Flower Spark audiences. Each year the show’s theme reflects the overall theme of Flower Spark. Two morning shows (10 am & 11 am) and three in afternoon (1 pm, 2pm & 3 pm). Children under 12 years of age, $1.; adults $2. Enter the show from the Good Shepherd entrance on the Cathedral's North Side.
Children's Games and Rides
include a cake walk, a giant slide, games and mechanical rides (such as: Twister, the Tubs of Fun and self-propelled Dixie Jr. Whirly Bird, Dixie Jr. Ferris Wheel). A Moon bounce and two climbing walls will also be available. Rides and Games are ticketed. Run by parent volunteers from Beauvoir—the Cathedral’s Elementary School.
Terry Bender and Wastel
The Organ Grinder and the little monkey, who will wiggle his ears, tip his hat and his talking parrot will play their magical tunes both days. The Organ Grinder is a popular tradition at the Washington National Cathedral Flower Spark in Washington, DC each spring. He is always a "crowd pleaser" particularly with the younger set. Watch this video of Terry and his adorable animal friends draw the children to his spot along South Road with upbeat street organ music."