What a weekend it was! Orchids, children & a gala event like none other. The Annual Orchid Show and Quincentennial Weekend at the Botanic Park were a hit for the over 1500 people who attended.

"It was the largest turnout we have had so far", explained Botanic Park Manager Andrew Guthrie, "We were extremely pleased with the amount of families who turned out and the interest people showed in learning about orchids."

The weekend events began with a Gala dinner for the members of the Orchid Society and Friends of the Botanic Park.

The Celebrate Cayman Children's Colouring book, featuring the flora and fauna of the Cayman Islands was launched at the event which was held at the Queen Elizabeth 11 Botanic Park as part of the Quincentennial Celebrations' Weekend at the Park and Orchid Show.

The evening's event included a silent auction of different varieties of imported exotic orchids.

Cayman National, the official bank of Quincentennial Celebrations, sponsored the 16-page colouring book titled "The Zany Adventures of Pete and Lizzy". It features title characters Pete the Parrot and Lizzie the Blue Iguana.

Leader of Government Business, the Honourable McKeeva Bush presented the colouring book to representatives of the sponsor and to Senior Education Officer, Mr. Herbert Crawford, who represented education minister, the Honourable Roy Bodden.

Mr. Bush noted that the launch of the children's colouring book is an important step in educating young children about the Cayman Islands. "These lessons will doubtless translate into Caymanian pride, and future respect for the environment," he said.

Author of book Martie Lesley, an American photojournalist who volunteered for the project, attended the launch, and was presented with a token of appreciation by Mr. Bush.

Over Saturday and Sunday the park was busting with activity with residents and tourists enjoying the park and the orchid Show. As part of the weekend events, the orchid society held workshops to teach people about orchids and their care. The workshops hosted standing room only audiences throughout most of the two days and included presentations by guest lecturer Craig Morrell.

On the Saturday morning the official opening and launch of the Native Orchid Propagation Unit took place. The unit is sponsored by the Dart Foundation and its purpose is the preservation of the native orchids of Cayman.

At the opening Leader of Government Business, the Honourable McKeeva Bush thanked the Dart Foundation for their support of this project as well as many others that are so important to Cayman and the preservation of its heritage. There are 7 varieties of orchids that can only be found in the Cayman Islands and a couple of dozen others that are native to these islands.

Also present at the propogation opening were Quincentennial Celebrations Executive Director Mrs. Angela Martins, Orchid Society President John Vitos and members Kirkland Nixon Chairman of the Tourism Attractions Board and Frank Roulstone; Gina Petrie, Director of the Department of Environment, Sandy Urquhart from the Dart Foundation and Botanic Park Manager, Andrew Guthrie.