By Jim Newell

Review Editor

The 18th annual Lake Orion Flower and Art Fair returns to the village this weekend with 97 vendors and the perfect opportunity to find a special gift for Mom.

The fair, organized and run by the Lake Orion Downtown Development Authority (DDA), is from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Saturday.

Pam Belding, DDA administrative coordinator who organized this year’s fair, said it’s a great opportunity to showcase the downtown businesses and shops, especially on Mother’s Day weekend.

“It’s fun because it’s the first festival of the season and you get to get out and see the businesses and new friends and old friends while supporting the downtown and being a part of the experience that is Lake Orion,” Belding said.

In previous years the Flower Fair has attracted 4,000-5,000 visitors. Last year nearly 6,000 people attended the fair.

“We do have more flower vendors this year selling everything from flowers, hanging baskets, succulents, trees and vegetables,” Belding said, “As well as glass, metal and stone garden art. The fair showcases the best that Lake Orion has to offer. We are friendly, we are outgoing and Lake Orion says ‘Yes’ to welcoming people to our downtown.”

There will be live entertainment – 18 acts over the two days, ranging from Magician Anthony Grupido to local musicians, dance teams and theater groups – at the Broadway and Flint streets intersection all day on Friday and Saturday.

“Most of (the performers) are from Lake Orion, or Michigan, and guests will get to see the incredible talent this area has,” Belding said.

Besides flower and garden goods, vendors will be selling arts and crafts, glassware, jewelry, home improvement goods, baked goods and sweet treats.

Local restaurants will offer their cuisine, and Lockhart’s BBQ and the Orion Art Center once again host the Beer Garden in the Flint Street alleyway, with proceeds benefiting the Art Center, said DDA Executive Director Molly LaLone.

Sparks-Griffin Funeral Home on Flint Street also will be giving away free memorial seedlings to plant in honor of a loved one, Belding said.

Knude Products and the DDA are raffling off a custom-made table created by Knude Products, with proceeds going toward improvements to the Flint Street alley, LaLone said. Tickets are $1 or $5 for six, with the drawing on June 2 during the official ribbon cutting ceremony, 9 a.m. – noon, for the Paint Creek Trail extension.

During the fair, Broadway Street will be closed from Front Street to Shadbolt Street. Flint Street will be closed from Anderson Street to Lapeer Street. Roads close at 5 a.m. on Friday and will reopen at 8 p.m. Sunday.

The Lake Orion Review, Golling Buick GMC, Home Depot, M&B Graphics and ABeanToGo are sponsors of the Flower Fair.

Visit downtownlakeorion.org under the events tab for a schedule of performers and additional information on this year’s fair.