THE FLOWER FIELDS® IN CARLSBAD OPENS MARCH 1

The annual floral wonder unveils new attractions
for 2008, from whimsical to historical

Carlsbad, Calif. (February 27, 2008) – On March 1, 2008, The Flower Fields® at Carlsbad Ranch will open for its annual ten-week springtime extravaganza, as 50-plus acres of an ocean-view hillside are transformed into a dazzling rainbow of Giant Tecolote Ranunculus. This year, visitors are promised even greater delights, with the addition of brand-new attractions for all ages.

One of the most beloved spring traditions in San Diego County, The Flower Fields draws more than 150,000 visitors annually for a wide range of entertainment opportunities that include picnics, shopping, school programs, gardening demonstrations and informational displays.

This year, the Flower Fields is proud to be unveiling Santa’s Play Area, the new home to the whimsical play houses and gigantic mushrooms that were once part of Santa’s Village in Lake Arrowhead, Calif. “We have the ‘Guard Shack,’ ‘Doll House,’ ‘mushrooms’ and ‘Crooked Treehouse,’” says Fred Clarke, general manager of The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch.

Other new surprises in store include:
• Poinsettia greenhouse brimming with poinsettias from the past, present — and future
• Small test garden where up-and-coming ranunculus are grown and tested
• Outdoor area that will host concerts, events and the Blue Grass Festival
• Photo taking pavilion with a spectacular fountain and sitting area

Aside from all the new attractions, visitors can continue to enjoy classic favorites such as the Carlsbad Mining Company, a sluicing operation where kids pan for semi-precious stones, and The Lego Flower Garden, where flowers are crafted from Legos. Those looking for adventure can take a ride on an open-air wagon through the fields via an antique tractor or challenge themselves with The Flower Fields’ new and improved sweet pea maze, a fragrant labyrinth that leads people through walls of lush, blooming sweet peas.

The Flower Fields is also home to the All-American Rose Selection (AARS) Garden and Walk of Fame. Here, visitors can see, smell and relax among more than 150 rose varieties and more than 80 varieties of the American Rose Society’s award-winning miniature roses.

The Flower Fields is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m from March 1st to May 11th. For more information, call 760-431-0352 or visit www.theflowerfields.com.

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