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The
following is an excerpt from the Bristol Press, Sept 29th, 1972
Why does Bristol hold a
Chrysanthemum festival and what gives the
city the right to claim the title "Mum City, U.S.A.?"
For thousands of people who annually
view the plush six acre carpet of brilliant color
that graces Chippens Hill each fall, the
answer is obvious. For, thanks to the Bristol
Nurseries and its world famous chrysanthemums,
Bristol is truly the Mum capital of the world.
The Bristol Nurseries have been a local
attraction for over 50 years and long before
the concept of the Chrysanthemum Festival
was dreamed of, the Bristol Nurseries were
delighting thousands with their annual fall
display. Today (during the Fall festival), on a
good Sunday, the Nurseries will host nearly
10,000 visitors from many states who have
come to see the famous mums in display.
Each fall, over 80,000 plants put forth
their brilliant blossoms from late September
through the end of October. Many of the
blooms have been developed at the Bristol
Nurseries where annually 5 to 7 new varieties
are introduced. This year there will be over
115 different varieties on display.
The Chrysanthemum Festival, which
grew out of the mum display, annually
reaches its conclusion with the ceremonies
held amidst the mums at the Nurseries on
Pinehurst Road. But while the Mum Festival
ends about October 15, the display continues
in all its brilliance until November I, when the
plants are cut down to begin the yearly cycle
of the chrysanthemum development.
The Bristol Nurseries was incorporated
in 1920 by Paul Hubbard and Alex Cumming.
About 1948, Arthur C. Bird, who had been a
manager of the landscaping dept., bought
out the interests of Hubbard and turned the
real emphasis on the chrysanthemum. Bird's
sons now continue the work of their father .
Editor's Note:
Though the Bristol Nurseries went out of the major mum
business in 1986, we believe that the annual fall display of
Mum Festival activities in all its color and delights gives
Bristol
entitlement to the "Mum City, U.S.A." claim for ever
more! |
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