Orchids in the rain The South Carolina Orchid Society, Ikebana International Chapter 182, and Riverbanks Botanical Garden present the 2009 Riverbanks Orchid Festival Friday, February 13 opening at 1 pm and continuing through the weekend, 9 am- 5pm Saturday and Sunday, at the Botanical Garden Visitors Center.

The event will include hundreds of blooming orchids, introductory seminars on orchid growing and ikebana design, and orchids for purchase from vendors throughout the Carolinas.

Now in its fourth year, the Riverbanks Orchid Festival draws visitors to Columbia from throughout the Carolinas, Georgia, and Northern Florida. Not your typical flower show, visitors are treated to artfully crafted displays exhibiting living orchids in naturalistic settings.

For more information call Riverbanks, 779-8717, SCOS, 864-617-2333, or visit www.Riverbanks.org.