As we look forward to 2025, we can’t help but think back to September 26 when our world at the Flowering Bridge changed. Our gardens were flourishing, and we were preparing to install our ever-popular pumpkin people to celebrate October. We had welcomed more than 150,000 guests throughout the year, our Education Center was nearing completion, and we were eagerly awaiting our holiday festivities.
But then the storm of all storms hit with a fury that was unprecedented. Hurricane Helene wreaked structural damage to the old bridge (which would have turned 100 years old in 2025), swept away our beloved Rainbow Bridge and its thousands of collars left lovingly by so many in tribute to lost pets, and forever changed the landscape of our beautiful gardens.
Enough looking back, it’s now time to look forward to a new year and new possibilities.
With the help of volunteers from the nonprofit Spokes of Hope, we were able to remove mounds of sand and debris and recover a few of our garden areas on both the east and west ends. We have been able to recover 398 (of a total of 724) commemorative bricks and they are being mortared back into place. Our Founder’s Circle is being restored and will gleam once again, a testament to the endurance of our mission.
What happened to us was tough, but we have a good thing going. The Lake Lure Flowering Bridge organization remains a viable group, and we know that we matter to our volunteers, our town, and to all the guests who have visited us over the years and who will return to visit us. We are committed to preserving as much as we can and continuing forward.
We are excited to announce our theme for 2025: “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.”
We will be spending the winter months planning, designing and working toward creating new garden spaces when the time is right. Our volunteers are creative and extremely dedicated, and while we don’t know what the new gardens will look like, we are excited about the possibilities our blank canvas presents. We also expect to open our Education Center in 2025, which will enable us once again to offer classes and workshops on a wide variety of topics.
Belief: such a powerful word! It’s what gives us the ability to respond to our situation with toughness, determination, and tenacity. We believe in tomorrow, and we look forward to seeing you soon.
Photos credit: Alice Garrard
