The Estate in Bloom

On Saturday and Sunday, July 24 and 25, come and experience the Estate in Bloom at the Mackenzie King Estate, and share in the passion of Canada’s 10th prime minister — William Lyon Mackenzie King — for gardening, horticulture and landscaping. A variety of activities will be offered, based on the theme “Flowers in the Heart of the Park.”

1:30 pm to 4:30 pm
Let yourself be transported by your senses: see, smell, touch and taste the magic of flowers. 

Discover — or rediscover — the Estate’s gardens through the eyes of an expert. Well-known horticulturist Jean-Pierre Martel will guide you through the various plantings and flower beds at the Estate. Learn some of the valuable secrets of a thriving garden, as Mackenzie King had done.

• In French, at 1:30 pm
• In English, at 3 pm

Our guide-interpreters, clothed in period costume, will greet you, bringing to life some of the members of the former prime minister’s entourage — who knows, perhaps even Mackenzie King himself!

Take a one-hour guided tour with Mackenzie King (portrayed by a guide-interpreter) as he discusses his landscaping plans for the Estate.

• In English, at 1:30 pm
• In French, at 3 pm

Satisfy your sweet tooth, and take part in workshops presented by local shops Miss Chocolat and Florist Avant-Garde, where you will learn to identify edible flowers and even be able to taste flowers dipped in chocolate.

Also, you can find out how flowers are used to make soaps and other toiletries, by joining in a workshop called “Soap Show: It’s the cleanest show in town.” Chelsea soap maker Olivier Soapery will demonstrate traditional methods of soap making, while sharing entertaining stories about the history of personal hygiene and body care, from the Middle Ages to the present.

You can also put your nose to work and take a trip through time, with fragrances that were popular in the 1930s and 1940s. Aesthetician and specialist in the history of European perfumes Michèle Hamelin will be your guide.

Don’t miss the classical music concerts presented by the Atrium Trio at 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm and 3:30 pm at the Moorside gardens.

Enjoy activities and games for the whole family at Kingswood and Moorside.

Discover the beauty and secrets of the romantic Moorside gardens — take a guided tour with a volunteer guide-interpreter. Tours at 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm and 4 pm.

Enjoy refreshments served on the lawn at Moorside.
Floral teas and other refreshments available. ($)
Sample pastries and sweets flavoured with floral extracts. ($)