CHOCOLATE! A TASTY NEW EXHIBIT
SWEETENS SUMMER AT PHIPPS
Trello Cioccolato sponsors Chocolate! at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. Be sure to stop by the gift shop at Phipps to purchase a wide variety of Trello chocolates!
(PITTSBURGH, Pa.)— Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens sweetens up summer with a tasty new exhibit exploring nature’s most popular treat—Chocolate! This show is sure to delight guests of all ages.
Throughout the Conservatory, Phipps explores the world’s obsession with chocolate, starting with its humble beginnings on The Amazing Chocolate Tree to a whimsical look at candy making and flamingos enjoying chocolate. With chocolate-themed plants, activities and displays, Chocolate! entices visitors to learn about and celebrate this favorite food.
At the center of the show is an entertaining exhibit called The Amazing Chocolate Tree, developed jointly by Atlanta Botanical Garden, GA; Dallas Arboretum, TX; Denver Botanic Gardens, CO; Franklin Park Conservatory, OH; Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, MI; and Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens and funded nationally by Dove Chocolate, a division of Mars headquartered in McLean, VA. Featuring a children’s chocolate factory, a history of chocolate display and other fun learning tools, the exhibit is a highlight of Chocolate! at Phipps this summer.
Each garden modified and customized the exhibit to fit its space. Phipps’ interpretation includes the traveling props plus plants, a garden railroad, and flamingos in supporting roles to tell the story. Trello Ciocciolato, a division of Lords International headquartered in Moon Township, PA, is the lead sponsor of the Chocolate! exhibit at Phipps.
“Our horticulture team did a wonderful job personalizing this fun exhibit for Phipps,” remarked Phipps’ executive director, Richard V. Piacentini. “Because we’re a changing display conservatory, we have the ability to completely redesign many of our rooms. This allowed us to take The Amazing Chocolate Tree and develop a flower show that spans the Conservatory. We’re really excited to open this show, especially for the summer. It’s a great exhibit for families to enjoy together.”
As part of the displays inside the Conservatory, chocolate-themed and -named plants will be highlighted in several areas. “When the horticulture staff researched ideas for the show, we were surprised to see how many plants are named after chocolate,” said Margie Radebaugh, Phipps’ director of horticulture and education. “It’s a new trend and we’ve had a great time exploring it. We think visitors will enjoy seeing the fun chocolate plants like Heuchera ‘Chocolate Ruffles’, not to mention all the flamingos.”
Along with flowers and educational tools, Chocolate! showcases interactive displays, featuring the children’s chocolate factory. Visitors can learn how chocolate is made, including roasting, winnowing, grinding, mixing, tempering and molding. Rounding out the educational highlights are Discovery learning carts, a children’s game, and free public programs like All About Chocolate, Chocolate and Fruits, and The Importance of the Cacao Plant. All visitors will receive a complimentary sample of chocolate.
Phipps’ Garden Railroad also takes part in this spectacular show as it transforms into Chocolate Express! Miniature trains wind around rolling hills surrounded by chocolate-themed displays and plants to scale, adding another element to this Conservatory-wide exhibit.
Of course, Chocolate! would not be complete without special treats at Café Phipps and items in the gift shop. Visitors can indulge in unique chocolate concoctions at Café Phipps specially created for this exhibit, and browse for great new items in The Shop at Phipps featuring—what else?—chocolate!
Chocolate! Media Day
Members of the media and their immediate families are invited to attend media day from 9:30 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Friday, May 23. Please RSVP by May 22 to jromano@phipps.conservatory.org.
About Phipps
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is a Victorian glasshouse, gardens and tropical forest conservatory in the Schenley Park area of Pittsburgh. Phipps is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and until 10 p.m. on Fridays. Café Phipps and The Shop at Phipps are open during all Conservatory hours. Daytime admission rates are $10 for adults, $9 for seniors (62 and over) and students with ID, and $7 for children ages 2 to 18. Phipps members and children under two are admitted free. For more information, call (412) 622-6914 or visit www.phipps.conservatory.org.
