The Millarville Flower Festival began humbly inside the Christ Church in Millarville, where attendees would gather to appreciate the flowers, the history, the company, and - of course - the tea and freshly baked scones. Fifty-six years later, the event continues to bloom in its season - but it has grown tremendously. To accommodate the large numbers the festival attracts, several changes have been made. For example, tents have been added to offer outdoor seating and the scones are now sourced from a bakery in Millarville rather than baked in-house. Despite these changes, The Christ Church Millarville Ladies Guild have managed to maintain many festival traditions, like its location. “The length that we’ve had the church is 122 years,” said Pauline Buckley, co-president of the guild. “We have people from all over the world coming to see that church.” The beautiful, old architecture of the church represents a vast history. “As generations go, history is forgotten, so it [the festival] is to reintroduce history to the people who are here and to bring interest to them as well,” said Buckley. Additionally, the festival helps to catalyze public awareness about Christ Church and its teachings. Buckley said that on Sundays, the ministers often are unable to leave until late-afternoon because they are busy teaching passersby. On July 15, everyone is welcome to attend a service at 11:30 a.m. in the church house, which will be beautifully decorated and fragrant with flowers from the day prior. The cemetery will also be decorated - attendees are welcome to bring arrangements for gravestones and any without an arrangement will receive a cut flower, also donated by community members. Cathie Scatterty, co-president of the guild, estimated that there are about 50 volunteers involved in the festival. Despite their efforts, a tremendous amount of work is required from the guild to organize the event. “We are all out doing things - advertising, putting things on the website, promoting…and most of all, making sure that the church is decorated,” said Buckley. “It’ll be over on Sunday, and I’ll start planning [next year’s festival] Monday morning.” Buckley is faced with the busy task of co-ordinating servers for the tea, where the scones can be found along with real whipped cream and strawberry jam. It will occur on July 14 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and costs $6, $3 for children ages six and under. Strawberry jam and strawberry cookbooks will also be sold separately. The event is a fundraiser for the guild, whose members then redirect the money to cover maintenance costs of the church and to charities like It Takes a Village, Teen Challenge and Days for Girls. All are welcome to attend - the church hall is wheelchair accessible. “It’s all so congregational…people from this area know each other and they come and sit and visit,” said Buckley. “It’s a day out of the city to relax and enjoy the country.” To donate contributions to the Flower Festival such as potted plants, floral arrangements and cut flowers, call Scatterty at (403) 938-7717. Flowers can be brought to the church on July 13 and decorating will begin at 5:30 p.m. that day.
