Abbeville's Daylily Festival brings plenty of fanfare with return to Magdalen Square

Is this past weekend’s Daylily Festival and Garden Show the best one ever?
To many who attended, it sure feels that way.
The festival made its return to Magdalen Square in Abbeville on Saturday, after being canceled all together in 2020 and moved indoors due to inclement weather last year.
“I think this is the largest crowd ever,” said Vermilion Chamber Executive Director Lynn Guillory, one of the event’s organizers. “I will tell you that most of the people who attended were really excited to be out in the square.”
For the vendors in attendance, the response proved similarly resounding.
“We haven’t received the surveys from all the vendors,” Guillory said. “We did have comments that this is the best one we have ever had for the vendors who participated.”
Charlene Beckett, one of the event’s organizers, said seeing so many people in the square put a smile on her face.
“I’m happy to see so many participants and such quality vendors,” Beckett said.
Those vendors certainly helped by bringing their “A” games.
“We received so many comments about the quality of the plants and merchandise,” Guillory said. “People raved about the variety of items. They were amazed by the beauty of the items.”
Not only did locals enjoy what the event had to offer, but many visitors traveled for the event, too.
“We had people from Alexandria and Avoyelles Parish,” Guillory said. “We even had people from Houston.”
As part of this year’s event, organizers honored the Abbeville Garden Club. Members of the club helped make this a memorable festival for some of the younger attendees.
“I want to compliment the Garden Club members for the projects that they did for the children in attendance,” Guillory said. “It was fun to see them getting involved.”
As for gardens, Guillory said this event will help the Harmony Park community garden, located on Lamar Street in Abbeville. Some vendors donated plants for the community garden.
“The Garden Club and others are working on that community garden,” Guillory said. “I want to offer a thank you to vendors who made contributions to the community garden.”
Going back to the community’s response to the return of the Daylily Festival to Magdalen Square, it was a good one.
“When the church bell rang at 8:30 a.m.,” Guillory said of the festival’s opening time, “it was like a stampede to get to the booths. It was great to see.
“This event was a huge success.”
Having it back in the square certainly favored that outcome.
“We’re so lucky to have such a beautiful venue,” Beckett said of Magdalen Square. “Thank you to all volunteers and city workers who helped make this a great event.”