Washington, D.C - January 2005 -- While most of us caught glimpses of the festivities surrounding the 55th Presidential Inauguration, a local business played a vital role in adding ambiance to the nation's biggest party.
Patricia Egan of Boynton Beach Florist & Gift Baskets in Boynton Beach joined more than 200 florists and industry professionals selected by the Society of American Florist (SAF) to prepare the inaugural floral decorations. The volunteers -- who paid their own way to Washington and donated their time and talent to the effort -- worked some 7,500 combined hours in a warehouse in downtown Washington, D.C. Their charge was to create elegant, sophisticated works of floral art for nine balls, three dinners and various other receptions.
"It was both personally and professionally rewarding to be a part of such an important, historical event," Egan said. "It was wonderful to work side by side with fellow industry members from across the country to create an inviting atmosphere for thousands of inaugural attendees."
Joining Egan were colleagues from 112 cities in 35 states and the District of Columbia who worked around the clock to plan, design, and install more than 3,500 floral centerpieces, buffet pieces and stage arrangements. Nearly 250,000 roses, tulips, lilies, orchids and other flowers and foliage were used in the decoration.
For the inaugural balls, 7-foot-tall arrangements, packed with hundreds of red roses and other flowers, complemented stage decorations of white, blue and gold. The dinner arrangements featured spectacular combinations of vibrant colors such as hot pink, deep green, orange and burgandy.
Representing a diverse network of florists, wholesalers, growers and supplies, SAF has been involved with the inaugual flowers for every president since John F. Kennedy. Floral decoration plans and preparations began weeks in advance, organizing the volunteers, procuring the floral product, arranging transportation and ensuring the flowers arrive at the exactly the right time to show off their full beauty on the nights of the dinners and balls.
"All of our hard work paid off," Egan added. "It was an unforgetable experience."
Society of American Florist
Patricia Egan, AAF (The American Academy of Floriculture)
The 55th Presidential Inauguration
Patricia Egan of Boynton Beach Florist & Gift Baskets in Boynton Beach joined more than 200 florists and industry professionals selected by the Society of American Florist (SAF) to prepare the inaugural floral decorations. The volunteers -- who paid their own way to Washington and donated their time and talent to the effort -- worked some 7,500 combined hours in a warehouse in downtown Washington, D.C. Their charge was to create elegant, sophisticated works of floral art for nine balls, three dinners and various other receptions.
"It was both personally and professionally rewarding to be a part of such an important, historical event," Egan said. "It was wonderful to work side by side with fellow industry members from across the country to create an inviting atmosphere for thousands of inaugural attendees."
Joining Egan were colleagues from 112 cities in 35 states and the District of Columbia who worked around the clock to plan, design, and install more than 3,500 floral centerpieces, buffet pieces and stage arrangements. Nearly 250,000 roses, tulips, lilies, orchids and other flowers and foliage were used in the decoration.
For the inaugural balls, 7-foot-tall arrangements, packed with hundreds of red roses and other flowers, complemented stage decorations of white, blue and gold. The dinner arrangements featured spectacular combinations of vibrant colors such as hot pink, deep green, orange and burgandy.
Representing a diverse network of florists, wholesalers, growers and supplies, SAF has been involved with the inaugual flowers for every president since John F. Kennedy. Floral decoration plans and preparations began weeks in advance, organizing the volunteers, procuring the floral product, arranging transportation and ensuring the flowers arrive at the exactly the right time to show off their full beauty on the nights of the dinners and balls.
"All of our hard work paid off," Egan added. "It was an unforgetable experience."
Society of American Florist
Patricia Egan, AAF (The American Academy of Floriculture)
The 55th Presidential Inauguration
