Named for internationally known horticultarist Franklin Carr, Bordentown City holds a festival each spring in honor of his specialty, the iris.
By:Vanessa S. Holt
BORDENTOWN CITY Frank Carr’s hybrid irises were not limited to the traditional blue and purple of the species, but wandered up and down the spectrum, reaching radiant hues of peach and gold through his careful cultivation.
Mr. Carr died in 1993, but the famous Bordentown City resident is remembered every year with the annual Iris Festival, held every May since 1997. The Downtown Bordentown Association sponsors the event, which will take place on May 10.
Mr. Carr’s prize-winning iris hybrids made their way out of his small Mary Street garden to the Vatican, London’s Buckingham Palace, the Palmengarten gardens in Frankfurt, Germany, and the garden of the late Princess Grace of Monaco.
He is remembered locally throughout the year with the Frank Carr Memorial Iris Garden in Hilltop Park, a small park overlooking the Delaware River between Farnsworth Avenue and Second Street.
This year, the Iris Festival will feature live jazz music throughout the day and outdoor café-style dining at city restaurants.
Jackie Reed, who has coordinated the festival since its first year, said the annual iris growing competition will be judged at 1 p.m. at the Friends Meeting house at 302 Farnsworth Ave. Flowers must be dropped off at the meetinghouse by 11 a.m. on the day of the festival.
"All you have to do is snip off a pretty bloom and bring it in," she said. "Even if you think the iris growing in your garden is nothing special, the judges may see it differently," she said. The only requirement is that the iris not be professionally grown, she said.
"We will provide wine bottles to put them in, scissors and cotton and anything they might need to groom the flower," said Ms. Reed.
The flower show will be rain or shine, though the outdoor components of the festival may be canceled if it rains.
Ribbons will be awarded in three categories: first, second and third place for regular irises, Franklin Carr Hybrid irises, and flower arrangements. The arrangements must include some kind of iris but any other kind of flower can be included as well, Ms. Reed said.
The Frank Carr iris garden is expected to be in bloom at the time of the festival, and maps will be available with directions to the garden and to several private iris gardens in town, said event organizers.
The art show will take place up and down Farnsworth Avenue throughout the day, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
"If we have good weather, we’re going to have a marvelous day," said C.J. Mugavero, owner of the Artful Deposit Gallery at 201 Farnsworth Ave. and coordinator of the fine arts portion of the festival.
About 30 artists from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland and other locations will bring an assortment of fine art to town, including paintings and photography. A wide range of subject matter, including wildlife, floral, landscape and still life art, is expected this year, she said.
The iris growers’ portion of the festival will close at 5 p.m.
Jazz musicians will perform throughout the day at various locations in town, including featured jazz vocalist Lou Watson. Music will not be limited to the Farnsworth Avenue locations, said Ms. Mugavero. Other restaurants, including the Hob Tavern on Second Street, will participate as well.
Farnsworth Avenue will not be closed to traffic during the day’s events, and free parking will be available throughout town. For more information about the Iris Festival, contact Arlene Bice, (609) 298-3334, or C.J. Mugavero, (609) 298-6970.