We advertise our open house through our commercials (which hit the Freeport to Galena market and the Southern Wisconsin to Lake Carroll market) we also run several print ads and radio commercials to promote the event. We are working with the Stephenson County Convention and Visitors Center for more public announcements.

We are asking that all our vendors complete the attached application form and confirm they will be able to attend our open house event by April 25, 2008. We will contact you to make sure that your products fit into our outdoor theme. The only fee we are asking for is 10% of your sales for that day payable by check or cash at the end of the day. This fee will help to defer some of the advertising costs. We ask that each vendor take care of their own sales and booths. If you would like to have items featured here but are unable to attend please call for further instructions. The open house will continue regardless of weather, so come prepared to have an awning or enclosure for your display. Everyone is welcome to visit us beforehand; we would love to meet everyone! Our April hours are Thurs, Fri and Sat 10-5pm and starting May 1st Mon, Tues, Weds, and Sat 9am - 6pm Thurs and Fri 9am to 8pm and Sundays 10am to 4pm. Each participant can set up on Friday afternoon after 4:00pm or Saturday between 7-9am.

We would like to see this event grow into something spectacular for the artists and everyone's customers. We have always had success in the past even if the weather did not always cooperate.

Please feel free to give me a call if you have any questions or concerns.

Happy Gardening!

Claire Smunt

Lily Pad Gardens and Nursery

YOU ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR 5TH ANNUAL

SPRING KICK OFF OPEN HOUSE AND GARDEN ARTS AND CRAFT SHOW.

SATURDAY MAY 10TH 2008 9:OO AM. TO 6:00 PM.

This will be our 5th open house and are we excited! Last year we added an exciting garden arts and craft show to our regular activities and events planned for this day. Because of the success we had, we are going to continue again this year. We are inviting artists and crafters from our area to participate in our open house. Our Open House is an outdoor event. Our outdoor displays will be completed and all our flowers, containers, and hanging baskets are brought outside.

Our garden center is located in Lena, IL just 1/2 mile north of the Lena Drive Inn on Lake Road (also known as Freedom Street). We grow our own annuals and perennials in our greenhouse but also feature aquatic plants & supplies, miniature conifers (for the garden railway enthusiast), succulents, custom hanging baskets and containers, bagged mulch and soil amendments. Our gift store is housed in our 100+-year-old barn. In here we feature, Beanpod Candles, Dionis natural lotions, Sallye Anders soaps, garden supplies and chemicals, outdoor furniture, an extensive line of home décor, Spin Shade Lamps and nightlights, unusual table lamps, ceramic tableware and linens, glass bead jewelry and so much more!