A Symphony of Flowers

Chippewa Valley Symphony takes you back to the gardens

Anna Semanko |

It’s about that time of year for pulling weeds and planting flowers and vegetables (and whatever else you feel the need to grow).  And if you’ve ever done any gardening – I think it can be agreed that it’s not always an easy job.  So The Friends of the Chippewa Valley Symphony Orchestra have found a way to showcase and honor the work of some local gardens – while getting their music heard in the process. The group has picked six beautiful and creatively designed Eau Claire homeowners gardens to invite garden lovers and music lovers alike to tour during their 15th annual Garden Stroll. The Garden Stroll will take place on Saturday, June 23rd, between 9am and 4pm. For the small cost of $15 dollars (with a portion of the proceeds going to benefit the symphony orchestra), people will be invited to tour each garden while being serenaded by the classical stylings of the Chippewa Valley Symphony Orchestra. But if the pretty gardens and the music aren’t enough, Members of the Chippewa Valley Watercolor Artists will be available at each garden - painting pictures, displaying their art and selling art also to benefit the symphony. In a press release, one of last year’s local garden extraordinaires, Libby Stupak, described her garden. “The landscape just evolved naturally.  Ours is a sustainable garden, developed with the use of natural fertilizers and featuring native plants.” The stroll offers people a chance to explore some classical music and absorb the beauty of some uniquely designed gardens. Tickets for the event can be purchased at the Chippewa Valley Symphony Orchestra office located in the Eau Claire Regional Arts Center (316 Eau Claire Street) or at select local businesses such as Festival Foods, Gloria Jeans and May’s Floral. The tickets will come with a map of the tour.