Camellia

Camellia, 81/2"X 10" Oil on Paper 2023.

The 99th Annual Camellia Show opens this Saturday at the Elks Lodge #6, 6446 Riverside Blvd. This event was once celebrated and known throughout the city with a parade, A Camellia Princess, Schools had children decorating floats. A local golf course awarded a hole in one with a free Camellia plant, I mean it was everywhere! And now it's out in the Pocket/Greenhaven, No longer at the Memorial Auditorium where Mayor Kevin Johnson once stopped by to pledge his support, Whereas now I believe the current mayor lives in Greenhaven, But can you get him to come out and say a few words? nope. Come and get a glimpse of Sacramento's once noble heritage. These beauties from the past have names like, Pop Corn, Mryna Foy, Red Hots, Moonlight Bay, etc. And yet to see them in the neighborhoods around town, standing in silent vigil, graciously accenting the divide between home and street, Their names now forgotten, It's like they've been reduced to the equivalent of landscape wall paper. But it's not so, They live!, and their full beauty and names will be on display this weekend at the Elks Lodge. Come on out people and show your pride for Sacramento! because as always, This amazing show- is Free. camelliasocietyofsacramento.org