The Iris Festival will be held on Farnsworth Avenue in Bordentown City on Saturday, May 7.
By: Vanessa S. Holt
BORDENTOWN CITY For almost 10 years, the city has erupted in irises in May, filling the main avenue with depictions of this spring flower carefully cultivated in paint and on paper, blooming in shades from peach to purple.
Beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 7, the Iris Festival returns to Farnsworth Avenue, celebrating one of the city’s favorite flowers with art, music, outdoor dining and an iris growers competition.
C.J. Mugavero, one of the chairs of the event and owner of the Artful Deposit gallery on Farnsworth Avenue, said organizers and artists are hoping for good weather at the annual event, which is celebrating its ninth year this May.
The festival honors the late Bordentown resident Franklin Carr’s contributions to horticulture. His iris breeds brought hues of peach and gold to the typically blue and purple blooms, and his flowers have graced the grounds of Buckingham Palace and the gardens of the late Princess Grace of Monaco. Mr. Carr died in 1993 and has been honored annually since 1997.
The Franklin Carr Memorial Iris Garden is located in Flynn Park at the corner of Second and Bank Street.
"We’re going to have over 40 artists, from all over the East Coast," said Ms. Mugavero, including internationally-known expressionist Hanneke deNeve and artists from as far away as West Virginia. Artists’ work from painters to photographers will be on display and local artist Michael Budden will be taking his talents to the street, painting outside throughout the day.
Local restaurants the Hob Tavern, Jester’s, Marcello’s and Fredo’s will offer al fresco dining throughout the day as well.
As for musical entertainment, the B.D. Lenz Jazz Trio, which has played in Central Park, Las Vegas, and all over the East Coast, will hold an outdoor concert from noon to 4 p.m. on West Church Street near Farnsworth Avenue. This will be the first year the Iris Festival includes a concert by a band, said Ms. Mugavero, though soloists have performed at previous events.
Returning for a second year are two free historic/garden tours hosted by the Thomas Paine Society of Bordentown. The first tour begins at 11:30 a.m., the second at 2:30 p.m. Both tours will meet up at the corner of Church Street and Farnsworth Avenue.
American Iris Society judges Bill and Martha Griner of Chesterfield will judge the annual iris competition, which takes places at the Friends Meeting House, 302 Farnsworth Ave., from noon to 4 p.m.
Ms. Mugavero said entries will be judged in three categories. One is the Franklin Carr category, recognizing the best example of one of his hybrid lines. There is also the "Best Arrangement" category and "Other Varieties," which recognizes the best example of an iris that is not a Franklin Carr hybrid.
Anyone can participate in the iris competition, as long as they have irises, Ms. Mugavero said. Contestants should bring their entries to the Friends Meeting House between 10 a.m. and 11:45 a.m.
For more information, call Ms. Mugavero at (609) 298-6970 or visit www.downtownbordentown.com.

