Pleasanton Rose Show marking 83rd year

This Mother's Day weekend, Pleasanton residents will be given the chance to view an arrangement of homegrown roses and florals.

The 83rd annual Pleasanton Rose Show is set to take place at the Pleasanton Senior Center from 2 to 5 p.m. this Saturday (May 13). The event is free and open to the public.

Beginning nearly a century ago, the event was originally dubbed "The People's Show".

"The Rose Show started in the 1940s when banker Harry Harding gave free rose bushes to his customers and the customers returned each year with blooms to show their appreciation," said Terry Snyder, a city of Pleasanton staff member.

"The city got involved in 2009 as the show needed a bigger venue, first using the library and then moved to the Senior Center," Snyder added.

Typically, the Rose Show occurs just before Mother's Day.

The event was originally created as a way for local organizations to connect and support each other, or provide donations to those in need. Proceeds from this year's event will be donated to Tri-Valley based nonprofit Sunflower Hill.

"This is a wonderful free event where all residents can enter their homegrown roses," Snyder said.

Snyder explained that after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the show continued virtually. The 83rd year will be a return to in-person for organizers and visitors.

"The last show was in 2019, we had approximately 500 rose entries. It was phenomenal, the smell, the colors, a truly remarkable event," Snyder said.

"Roses are exquisite and when you see so many in one place, you appreciate their beauty so much more. We do hope the show will inspire those that do not have roses in their yard to want to grow roses and hopefully enter them in the next show," added Snyder.

To participate in the rose show, people must submit their arrangement or flowers to the Rose Show prior to the event at 8-10 a.m. the same day. For more information on the floral display, visit pleasantonroseshow.com.