As the winter chill starts to creep in it seems like perfect time to start thinking about spring and the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival.
The 2014 festival will mark the debut of the Kermit the Frog topiary and he’ll be joined by none other than Miss Piggy in the World Showcase topiary display.
Returning for a second year to the festival are the food and beverage marketplaces with new menu items including Piggylicious Bacon Cupcakes and a Barbecued Chicken Leg at the Smokehouse Barbecue marketplace.
Other marketplace items include floral-flavored lemonade, specialty cocktails, and wine and beer for menu pairings. The Florida Fresh marketplace will once again feature the Watermelon Salad with arugula, feta cheese, pickled red onions, and balsamic reduction.
The Epcot front entrance gardens will include topiaries with Goofy, Donald Duck, and Daisy Duck celebrating spring while catching butterflies. These topiaries will have a computer-generated look and the garden will feature a real waterfall and pond full of water lilies.
Pumbaa’s topiary will be joined by Timon at the park’s Outpost location between China and Germany, while Peter Pan, Captain Hook, and Croc return to the United Kingdom showcase.
The Flower Power Concert Series kicks off on opening weekend with The Guess Who. New acts this year include Gary Lewis and the Playboys (March 14-16), and The Alan Parson Live Project on May 16-18. Other acts include Chubby Checker & the Wildcats, The Village People, and Paul Revere & The Raiders.
Guests at the festival will have a chance to experience interactive gardening workshops and will get to hear from gardening guests speakers each day. On weekends, HGTV design celebrities will host home, garden, and design seminars.
The 21st annual Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival takes place from March 5 until May 18 2014, and will feature nearly 100 topiaries.
