LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- A new Cinco de Mayo celebration, interactive bug releases, family-fun activities and how-to gardening sessions add plenty of themed fun to every weekend of the 14th annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival April 5 through June 3. Each of the nine festival weekends features a special theme with events and activities that add to the daily festivities.

Premiere Weekend April 5-8

• The festival opens with 30 million blooms, topiary magic, gardening activities and new exhibits
   
•  Paul Revere and the Raiders launch the Flower Power concert series at America Gardens Theatre.
   
• Paul James, a.k.a. "The Gardening Guy(" and host of HGTV's "Gardening By the Yard," answers gardening questions and provides helpful insight into this popular hobby as part of the Great American Gardeners series presented by the American Horticultural Society on April 5-8 at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. at the Garden Odyssey Festival Center.

Garden Parties Weekend April 13-15

• Beloved Disney characters host a series of whimsical garden parties for guests.
   
• Tony Orlando in concert (4/13-14) and The Buckinghams (4/15) belt out nostalgic tunes during the Flower Power concert series.
   
• Pat Lanza, author of "Lasagna Gardening," dishes up tips on how to improve Florida soil for growing herbs and plants like the pros. At 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. at the Garden Odyssey Festival Center.

Art in the Garden Weekend April 20-22

• Guests get a first-hand look at nature through the eyes of plein air artists and can browse the works of featured Art in the Garden artists.
   
• The Turtles featuring Flo and Eddie (4/20-21) and The Box Tops (4/22) rev up the Flower Power concert beat through the weekend.
   
• Renowned wilderness photographer Clyde Butcher talks with guests about their passion for the outdoors and offers photography tips. At 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. at the Garden Odyssey Festival Center.
   
• The renowned Florida Highwaymen appear with their legendary landscapes.
   
• Children can enjoy the Kids Paint Out experience in Future World East. Easels and special paint bottles are set out for kids to paint freehand (or any other style) with the assistance of a professional artist nearby.

I Dig Bugs Weekend April 27-29

• Guests discover that bugs are fun and keep gardens healthy.
   
• Disney's Animal Kingdom bug specialists appear to give guests a close-up look at caterpillars, spiders and other creatures.
   
• The Tokens (4/27-28) and Peter & Gordon (4/29) rock the Flower Power concert stage.
   
• Tom Turpin, award-winning Purdue University professor of entomology and founder of the "Bug Bowl," talks about the benefit of insects. At 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. at the Garden Odyssey Festival Center.
   
• Jiminy Cricket and friends make special appearances in Future World throughout the weekend at various times.
   
• Ladybugs will be released more frequently throughout the I Dig Bugs Weekend.

Cinco de Mayo Weekend May 4-6

• The history behind the Cinco de Mayo holiday comes alive during fun-filled activities at the Mexico pavilion.
   
• Petula Clark revives 1960s memories (5/4-5) and Nelson featuring the songs of Ricky Nelson (5/6) strike a familiar chord during daily concerts.
   
• Central Florida gardening celebrity Tom MacCubbin piques interest with talks on edible landscapes. At 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. at the Garden Odyssey Festival Center.

Mother's Day Weekend May 11-13

• Members of the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs exhibit a spectacular display of floral arrangements at the Festival Center.
   
• Moms are treated to a complimentary flower exclusively on Mother's Day, May 13.
   
• Families can celebrate mom at the Mother's Day Brunch on Sunday, May 13, at World ShowPlace. Times are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Guests can make reservations at 407/WDW-DINE (939-3463).
   
• Flower Power great Davy Jones makes moms swoon during daily concerts.
   
• Guerlain perfume specialist Raymond Western talks about the intimate relationship between perfumes and plants like those displayed at the France pavilion's Fragrance Garden. At 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. at the Garden Odyssey Festival Center.
   
• Children can create the perfect Mother's Day card.

Characters in Bloom Weekend May 18-20

• Dozens of Disney characters pop up throughout the park for a character extravaganza.
   
• B.J. Thomas (5/18-19) and Grass Roots featuring Rob Grill (5/20) make Flower Power concerts sing each weekend day.
   
• Robert Bowden, director of the lush Harry P. Leu Gardens in Orlando, discusses plants with character, including those with unusual texture, color and habits. At 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. at the Garden Odyssey Festival Center.
   
• Tinker Bell's Fairy Garden showcases a glittering Tinker Bell topiary and provides fun for everyone, especially younger children. The new Pluto's Play Zone features climbing fun for kids 6 and up.
   
• On May 19, from 1-5 p.m., and May 20 from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m., artisans showcase handcrafted dolls and teddy bears at World ShowPlace.

Memorial Day Weekend May 26-28

• Children can take part in Field Day activities in Future World East with beanbag tosses, relay races and other outdoor fun.
   
• Fans dig The SOS Band (5/26) and Gary Puckett (5/27-28) in concert for Flower Power fun.
   
• Gary Alan, landscape designer and TV and radio personality, talks about ideas and methods to create a magical landscape. At 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. May 25-27 at the Garden Odyssey Festival Center.

Festival Farewell Weekend June 1-3

• Georgia Tasker, author of "Wild Things-the Return of Native Plants" and "Florida Gardeners Guide," caps the Great American Gardeners series with sage gardening advice. Tasker holds the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Tropical Audubon Society and writes for the Miami Herald.
   
• Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone wrap the Flower Power series with their lively British brand of rock.
   
• Surprise craft activities help kids wrap up their festival fun.

AHOY, MATES! -- Peter Pan and Captain Hook come to life as flower-festooned topiaries aboard a palm-fiber pirate ship at the Epcot main entrance during the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Plant materials used to dress the boy who wouldn't grow up and his nemesis include Creeping Fig, Reindeer moss, Joseph's coat, Powder Puff plant and Pennywort. Other pirate-ship topiary characters not seen in this photo include Tinker Bell and, trailing the ship in a dinghy, Stitch of "Lilo & Stitch."
GROWING FUTURE GARDENERS – Disney horticulturist Debbie Mola Mickler checks plants at the Growing Future Gardeners exhibit at the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival at Walt Disney World Resort. At the exhibit, families can learn how to grow herbs for pizza and salsa gardens, and kids can see carnivorous plants like the Venus fly trap in action.
Kids Dig Festival Fun Children can have a field day enjoying gardens full of kid-friendly activities during the annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Slides, tunnels, climbers and mazes provide active fun, while family-friendly gardens encourage youthful interest in plants of all types. (Photo credit: Disney/Diana Zalucky)
Gabrielle Frisella, age 6, from Houma, La., takes a "hands on" approach to learning about unique plants with Disney Gardener Tony Kalikasangh at the "Growing Future Gardeners" exhibit at the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Photo credit: Disney/Diana Zalucky)

HDTV's Paul James Opens Series April 5-8

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- One of the country's most popular gardening gurus, HDTV's Paul James, is back with the inside scoop on home gardening during the 14th Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival at Walt Disney World Resort. James, also known as "The Gardener Guy," kicks off the Great American Gardener series, appearing twice daily at the Garden Odyssey Festival Center in Future World.

The Great American Gardener series, which continues each Friday-Sunday through June 3, is presented in partnership with the American Horticultural Society. Some of the most respected gardeners and nature experts in the country reveal tips and share entertaining stories during the presentations open to all Epcot guests at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. Scheduled to appear:

• Paul James (April 5-8) -- Host of HGTV's "Gardening By the Yard," James draws on his vast horticulture knowledge to answer gardening questions and provide helpful insights into America's top hobby.
   
• Patricia Lanza (April 13-15) -- Known for her book Lasagna Gardening, Lanza shows guests how to grow gardens like pros using simple methods to improve poor Florida soils.
   
• Clyde Butcher (April 20-22) -- Renowned wilderness photographer Clyde Butcher explores the natural environment through stunning black and white images and offers outdoor photography tips.
   
• Tom Turpin (April 27-29) -- Award-winning professor of entomology at Purdue University and founder of the "Bug Bowl" spreads the buzz on the benefits of insects.
   
• Tom MacCubbin (May 4-6) -- Central Florida gardening personality, author of The Edible Landscape and co-author with Georgia Tasker of Florida Gardener's Guide (2nd edition), MacCubbin talks about edible landscapes.
   
• Raymond Western (May 11-13) -- A Guerlain perfume specialist, Western takes guests on a tour of the world of fragrance and the intimate relationship between plants and perfume, such as those displayed at the Fragrance Garden located at the France pavilion.
   
• Robert Bowden (May 18-20) -- Gardening expert and director of the lush Harry P. Leu Gardens in Orlando, Bowden gives the scoop on plants with unusual textures, habits and colors and tells how to grow an interesting and fun garden.
   
• Gary Alan (May 25-27) -- A landscape designer, as well as TV and radio personality, Gary Alan presents unique ideas and methods to help you create your own magical landscape.
   
• Georgia Tasker (June 1-3) - Feature writer for The Miami Herald and author of Wild Things -- The Return of Native Plants and Florida Gardeners Guide, Tasker will offer tips for growing orchids.

The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is included with regular Epcot admission. For more information, guests can call 407/W-DISNEY or visit disneyworld.com/flower.
 

Hit Bands of 1960s and '70s Rock Epcot During 2007 Flower Power Concerts

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Retro-hit makers like Petula Clark, Jose Feliciano, Peter & Gordon and The Box Tops rev up the Flower Power concert series April 5-June 3 at the 14th annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival in Walt Disney World Resort.

The spring shower of hit songs from the 1960s and '70s begins with opening-weekend performances by Paul Revere and the Raiders, known for a slew of singles like "Good Thing" and "Birds of a Feather." Other oldie chart-toppers featured by some of the festival's 17 musical acts include "Happy Together," "Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head" and "Mrs. Brown You've Got a Lovely Daughter." B.J. Thomas, Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone, The Guess Who and The Turtles featuring Flo and Eddie are among returning acts to appear during the 60-day Flower Power concert series. Davy Jones will perform again this year during the popular Mother's Day Weekend.

Flower Power concerts strike a lively, nostalgic chord daily at America Gardens Theatre at 5:45, 7 and 8:15 p.m. and are included with regular Epcot admission. Here's the lineup*:

• April 5-9 -- Paul Revere and the Raiders "Good Thing"
   
• April 10-14 -- Tony Orlando in Concert "Tie a Yellow Ribbon"
   
• April 15-18 -- The Buckinghams "Kind of a Drag"
   
• April 19-21 -- The Turtles featuring Flo and Eddie "Happy Together"
   
• April 22-24 -- The Box Tops "The Letter"
   
• April 25-28 -- The Tokens "The Lion Sleeps Tonight"
   
• April 29-May 1 -- Peter & Gordon (New) "A World Without Love"
   
• May 2-3 -- Jose Feliciano (New) "Light My Fire"
   
• May 4-5 -- Petula Clark (New) "Downtown"
   
• May 6-10 -- Nelson featuring the songs of Ricky Nelson "(Can't Live Without Your) Love and Affection"
   
• May 11-15 -- Davy Jones "Daydream Believer"
   
• May 16-19 -- B.J. Thomas "Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head"
   
• May 20-22 -- Grass Roots featuring Rob Grill "Midnight Confessions"
   
• May 23-25 -- The Guess Who "American Woman"
   
• May 26 -- The SOS Band (New) "Take Your Time (Do It Right)"
   
• May 27-30 -- Gary Puckett "Over You"
   
• May 31-June 3 -- Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone "Henry the 8th"

Fun Facts

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- A topiary pirate ship starring Peter Pan, Captain Hook and Tinker Bell adds new floral finesse to the 14th annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival April 5-June 3 at Walt Disney World Resort. Among this year's fun festival facts:

• 30 million blooms dress the park throughout the festival, which runs 60 colorful days.
   
• As part of this year's pirates and princesses theme, an elaborate pirate ship topiary will feature Peter Pan and his nemesis, Captain Hook, plus Tinker Bell -- all as intricately designed topiaries. Other topiary whimsy includes: Pirate Mickey Mouse and Princess Minnie Mouse, a towering Pirate Goofy, Cinderella and Prince Charming and Belle and her Beast from "Beauty and the Beast."
   
• More than 70 topiaries, including the sweetheart topiary grouping of Cinderella and Prince Charming and Belle and her Beast, are installed across park grounds for the festival. The enduring couples are displayed on a "Lovers Lane" from behind Spaceship Earth to World Showcase Plaza.
   
• The largest character topiary at this year's festival is Pirate Goofy, which towers 14 feet above guests.
   
• More than 500 native butterflies representing up to 10 species reside in Minnie's Magnificent Butterfly Garden, a gazebo-type enclosure filled with lush plants and measuring more than 40 feet in diameter. Guests can stroll through the screened habitat to view the colorful butterflies. Among the garden's two dozen nectar plants are Cape Royal plumbago, passion flower, coral honeysuckle, blazing star, butterfly bush, scarlet milkweed and canna lily.
   
• 300,000 bedding plants are installed for the festival.
   
• Three butterfly topiaries are on display. Doc, Grumpy and Sleepy of the seven dwarfs appear at the Germany showcase with intricate topiary detail that includes beards of palm fiber. Perfume bottle topiaries represent Guerlain perfumes in the Fragrance Garden at the France pavilion.
  At least 25 different plants, grasses and mosses of various colors, including pink and red begonias, dusty miller, palm fiber, palm seeds, ficus and lichen, are used to create and define features of the festival topiaries. More color has been added to the topiaries than in any previous topiary presentation.
   
• More than 15 floral, herbal and spice ingredients of eight popular perfumes are revealed in the Fragrance Garden presented by Guerlain at the France pavilion. Guests can sniff the enduring fragrance Shalimar to discover botanical notes that include lemon, Arabian jasmine and vanilla. Components of seven other Guerlain fragrances include mimosa, magnolia, rose, nutmeg and vetivergrass. This year, Guerlain added the fragrance Insolence to the garden.
   
• Nearly 40 varieties of trees, plants and flowers are featured in this year's The Art of Outdoor Living garden, a pan-tropical fusion presented by Dupont Garden Systems near the Morocco pavilion that combines the ambiance of exotic Bali with an elegant West Palm Beach mood to create an upscale outdoor living area along with an innovative kids play zone.
   
• Forty-five "flower towers" of impatiens line Innoventions Plaza.
  100 floating mini-gardens of multi-hued impatiens, each three feet in diameter, provide splashes of color on two lakes that border the walkway between Future World and World Showcase.
  750 container gardens of flowers, herbs, plants and vegetables in clay pots, barrels and urns enhance the landscape throughout Epcot.
   
• 300 horticulturists from the Walt Disney World nursery are needed to install the festival landscape, topiaries and many exhibits; 100 Epcot horticulturists maintain topiaries and other festival displays.
   
• It takes one full year to prepare for the annual festival.
   
• The festival's Flower Power is bolstered by thrice-daily appearances of musical hit makers of the 1960s and '70s including The Guess Who, Davy Jones, Paul Revere & the Raiders, Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone and Petula Clark