Plants, yard accessories pop up at Royal Oak In Bloom

ROYAL OAK – After breakfast in bed or before being taken out to dinner, mothers can celebrate by picking out flowers, plants and yard art at the 14th annual Royal Oak in Bloom sale from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 13 in the city's Williams Street parking lot.
"It's a perfect opportunity to get a headstart on spring planting while at the same time having the opportunity to celebrate Mother's Day," said Bill Allen, executive director of the Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce.
The Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce sponsors the event, which features approximately 50 vendors.
"It gives people an opportunity to look at a number of different plants as well as other items for the garden," Allen said. "And because Royal Oak is such a friendly town they can also stay downtown and visit one of our many restaurant and/or stores."
Chamber volunteers will hold shoppers' purchases and then ferry them to their cars. Allen expects over 5,000 garden-goers.
"I think the success can be attributed to … volunteers and the support shown by the local community," Allen said.
The Williams Street parking lot is on the south side of 11 Mile Road, just east of Main Street, adjacent to the Royal Oak Public Library.
In addition to Royal Oak in Bloom, the chamber will promote the city with the Clay & Glass and Taste of Royal Oak Festival June 16 and 17 and the Antique & Garage Sale July 14 and 15. The three events bring an estimated 80,000 visitors to Royal Oak each year. In 2006, the chamber staged nearly 50 events benefiting its members and the city's business community.