Step into the Pennsylvania Convention Center and you'll be surrounded by the sights, sounds, and smells of Hawaii.
Visitors to Philadelphia's International Flower Show can wander through a tropical paradise of sorts thanks to this year's theme, "Hawaii: Islands of Aloha."
The show transports visitors to the tropical islands complete with a towering waterfall and bright beautiful blooms.
"The entrance was spectacular. I love that they have the music and the wave that you walk under was amazing," said Flo Deangelis.
Exhibits include a fantasy surf shack, a beach wedding, a 25-foot-tall waterfall and a tribute to the Hawaiian goddess of fire. Dancers and musicians from the Aloha State will perform, and contestants will vie for prizes in daily floral arranging competitions modeled after the "Iron Chef" TV show.
Thousands upon thousands of orchids, anthurium and other blooms commonly associated with the Hawaiian isles are spread throughout 10 acres of fragrant displays.
"Oh, all the orchids, the arrangements it was so beautifully done. If you spend any time in Maui you know it's fabulous," said Mary Lou Gonzalez.
The flowers aren't the only things on display, there are technological components this year that will play a new role in exhibits and the way visitors view the show.
"We've been to Hawaii a number of times. Its' just a great representation of what the island looks like. It's beautiful - some of the displays don't even look like they are real.," said Tom Yaegel.
For many visitors it's the perfect way to say goodbye to winter and Aloha to spring.
The 2012 Philadelphia Flower Show runs the following dates:
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
