National park landscapes on display at the Flower Show

CENTER CITY (WPVI) -- Any day is a perfect day to get a little taste of spring, and that's what thousands did Saturday during opening day of the Philadelphia Flower Show.

This year, between the bright blooms and scenic landscapes, you'll also find bison, bears and a big timber lodge.

Each exhibit is inspired by a national park in honor of the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service. From Yellowstone to the Liberty Bell, visitors might feel like they're traveling the country without leaving the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

Renee Albertoli of the Independence National Historical Park says, "It's their inspiration, their vision, and to me that's always fascinating. To see how others imagine the national parks. How they want to interact with them."

One of those fascinating exhibits is the Hopewell Furnace national historic site in Berks County, designed and built by Temple University students.

Temple student Ayanna Crawley tells us, "We wanted to pick materials that would be realistic if people went to Hopewell, what they would actually see, what they would hear, what they would smell."

With a theme that appeals to so many people, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society officials say ticket sales are already up from last year.

Sam Lemheney from PHS explains, "Everybody can relate to the national parks. Everyone has been to the national parks. So that theme is really attracting people who might not have been to the Flower Show in a number of years."

250,000 people visited the Flower Show last year, and organizers hope more than that will visit this year.

The Flower Show runs through Sunday March 13th.