Kissimmee, FL July 6, 2004 -- As a salute to Florida's nursery and greenhouse industry, Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center will feature a showcase of 20,000 Caladium and Coleus plants in several dozen varieties, in both July and August.

The Caladium Showcase, running July 10 Aug. 1, will feature thousands of colorful Caladiums in 14 varieties throughout the resort's 4.5-acre glass-covered atrium. A second display, the Coleus Showcase, will feature thousands of Florida Coleus in 15 varieties, August 14 September 5.

Both horticulture events, as well as gardening seminars and tours, are apart of the resort's new 'Best of Florida' Festival. The weekend event runs Saturdays from noon until 10 p.m. and Sundays from noon until 6 p.m.

Gardening seminars include:

Fifteen Ornamentals, Vines, and Tropical Plants that work in the Florida: July 10 at 1:30 and 5:30 p.m.; July 18 at 2:00 and 5:00 p.m.; and July 31 at 1:30 and 5:30 p.m.

Container Gardens: July 17 at 1:30 and 5:30 p.m. and August 28 at 1:30 and 5:30 p.m.

Palms: Problem Diagnosis, Fertility, and Intervention: July 24 at 1:30 and 5:30 p.m. and July 25 at 2:00 and 5:00 p.m.

Florida Invasive Plants: Aug. 1 at 2:00 and 5:00 p.m.

Floral Design: August 14 at 1:30 and 5:30 p.m.; Sunday, August 15 at 2:00 and 5:00 p.m.; Saturday, September 4 at 1:30 and 5:30 p.m.; and Sunday, September 5 at 2:00 and 5:00 p.m.

Herbs from the Garden to the Kitchen: Saturday, August 21 at 1:30 and 5:30 p.m. and Sunday, August 22 at 2:00 and 5:00 p.m.

Florida Native Plants and Bok Tower: Sunday August 29 at 2:00 and 5:00 p.m.

In addition to the gardening events, 'Best of Florida' Festival will include amazing sand sculptures, entertainment, and other events throughout the air-conditioned atrium. Entertainment will be featured in several themed areas:

Everglades Village: Visit a Florida backwaters village, complete with character actors, crafters, live alligators, artisans, storytellers, and music.

KeyWestFest: The energy of fun-filled Key West, featuring artists, tightrope walkers, performers, live music, steel drums, and even a live mermaid.

Legacy Corner: Celebrate history with medieval characters, pirates and renaissance fun.

Best of Florida Central: Listen to live music. At the festival, discover gardening tips, participate in a wine and food seminar, learn about spa treatments you can create at home, and attend travelogues from Florida destinations.

"As a Florida-themed resort, we strive to plant materials grown and supplied by Florida nurseries and greenhouses," said Tim McColgan, horticulture manager. "This is our opportunity to show off some of Florida's most recognized plants."

The brightly colored leafy caladium plants are known for their colorful foliage and continue to be popular landscape and container plants. Every August, a Caladium Festival is held in Lake Placid, where more than 99 percent of the plants are grown.

The resorts Caladiums were grown locally by Bates/Capital Caladiums in Lake Placid, Florida. The Coleuses were grown in Orlando by Shore Acres nursery.

A special 'Best of Florida Festival' weekend family package starts at $199 per night and includes:

Atrium-view accommodations

Gourmet buffet breakfast daily for two adults and two children

2 adult tickets to SeaWorld Adventure Park (A $107.90 value)

Snack delivered to room upon arrival.

Commemorative Best of Florida Festival gift

10 percent discount on purchase in restaurants, select shops, and Canyon Ranch SpaClub.

Access to all non-ticketed Best of Florida Festival events

Welcome reception (Friday evening arrivals only)

Admission to the festival is $10 per carload, and includes parking and most events (including the gardening seminars, tours, and horticulture showcases). Guests who dine at the resorts restaurant can have the entry fee validated.

While seminars, tours and festival events are only presented on weekends, the horticulture showcase can be viewed during the week. The resorts normal $7 parking charge applies Monday through Friday. Guests who dine at the resort's restaurant can have the parking fee validated.

For more reservations or more information, please call Gaylord Palms at 407-586-2000, or visit the Best of Florida Festival web site at www.gaylordpalms.com/bestfest.

About Gaylord Palms
Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center has gained the attention of the meeting and convention industry by providing world-class convention and leisure-focused amenities in one centralized location. The award-winning Gaylord Palms is a Gaylord Hotels-branded property owned by Gaylord Entertainment (NYSE: GET), a leading hospitality and entertainment company based in Nashville, Tenn. For more information, visit www.gaylordpalms.com or www.gaylordentertainment.com.

Contact: Keith Salwoski, (407) 586-0315, e-mail protected from spam bots

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