Flower Mart, French Market Go Online
By • April 30, 2020 0 833
Two of D.C.’s signature spring events, both along Wisconsin Avenue — Flower Mart at the National Cathedral and the Georgetown French Market on Book Hill — have gone virtual in 2020, a year that, so far, we have spent half indoors.
Flower Mart began on April 26 and will continue through May 10, Mother’s Day. The French Market will run from May 1 through 8.
Founded in 1916, All Hallows Guild, Flower Mart’s presenting organization, is the garden guild of Washington National Cathedral. The event was first held in 1939 on the cathedral’s Pilgrim Steps; it is said to have been inspired by flower sellers on the Spanish Steps in Rome.
A list of Flower Mart vendors can be found at allhallowsguild.org.
“Super Vendors,” indicated by a logo next to their name, donate 20 percent of the shopping cart total to the guild when purchasers use the FLOWERMART code.
As part of All Hallows Guild’s celebration of the Olmsted Woods, a five-acre woodland on the cathedral grounds, an “Into the Woods” coloring book was to be introduced this year. Though delivery of the complete book has been postponed until 2021, those of us who have taken up coloring with a vengeance can at least download a preview page here.
The French Market, now in its 17th year, is a project of the Georgetown Business Improvement District. This year, more than 15 locally owned boutiques, cafés and galleries along upper Wisconsin Avenue in Georgetown will offer clickable retail and restaurant promotions. Also online: story time and music for children, a French baking demonstration, a pop-up book workshop and antique assessments.
Ten percent of French Market sales will benefit COVID-19 relief via local nonprofits Martha’s Table, which distributes groceries to economically disadvantaged children and families, and Christ Child Opportunity Shop, which provides children and families in need with diapers, clothing and supplies.
Details, including the schedule of online programming, are posted at georgetowndc.com/frenchmarket.
