Ooty Vegetable show 2010 - May 29 and 30.

From being just an open space in the middle of the town which was used and abused for many years, the Nehru Park in Kotagiri moved on to become a beautiful garden a few years ago and since 2008 it has been an ideal venue for a major vegetable show.

The 3rd Vegetable Show would be conducted on May 29 and 30, the Assistant Director of Horticulture N.Mani, told The Hindu that elaborate arrangements are underway for the event which has come to be acknowledged as the biggest annual tourist attraction.

Enthusiasm

With the enthusiasm being displayed by the local community in organising the show increasing every year the 2010 show will bid fair to be more spectacular than the earlier ones.

Stating that it will feature tribal programmes, he said that this year importance would be given to the food processing industry.

Notwithstanding inadequate rains the Park is wearing an attractive look with flowers like Inca Marigold, French Marigold, Zinia, Dwarf Salvia and Dwarf Dahlias in full bloom.

A major attraction are Alyssum flowers in rose beds.

To a question that was put to him, he said that the flowers will remain in full bloom till the season concludes.

Visitors

While the number of visitors was now between 400 and 500 on week days during week ends it went up by 100 to 200.

This is an index of the popularity of the show.

Even as arrangements are apace for the vegetable show an opinion gathering ground in Kotagiri is that if the Park which extends over about two acres is handed over to the Department of Horticulture more development works can be taken up.

At present, the park is controlled by the Kotagiri Panchayat and maintained by the Horticulture department, officials said.