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This is a celebration year for the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge (LLFB) and the dozens of volunteers, visitors and the community residents of Lake Lure and Chimney Rock as the bridge turns 10 years old.
On Friday night dozens gathered in Lake Lure for the "Not Your Typical Garden Party" to celebrate the past 10 years and look forward to future plans for the garden of flowers that began with an idea and a vision carried out through many volunteers.
Several founders of LLFB, who have moved from the area, attended the party including Bill and Ellie Miller and Linda and Woody Turner.
It was Bill Miller who in 2010 had an idea of converting the old travel bridge into a garden. Today LLFB draws an estimated 186,000 people from all over the world to walk across the pedestrian bridge of gardens. Miller, who lived in Lake Lure at the time, said he was returning from Asheville (2010) when he stopped in Lake Lure to view the construction of a new bridge across Rocky Broad River.
"For the first time ever I got to see the arched beauty of the old bridge, and immediately I saw it blooming in flowers, rising above the beautiful balustrades and hanging over its sides. On reflection I realized that this thought was inspired by childhood visits to the Shelburne Falls (MA) Bridge of Flowers," Miller said.
After the former traffic bridge - first built in 1925 - that connected Lake Lure and Chimney Rock, a new modern bridge was constructed in 2011 and at the request of the Town of Lake Lure, the bridge was given to the Town of Lake Lure by the State of North Carolina.
Miller said he made his first visit to Town Hall to share the idea in 2011 about creating a flower garden.
"The rest of the story of Lake Lure Flowering Bridge is now the history of dedicated gardeners and community leaders, with much greater vision than I, creating a gorgeous, flowering pedestrian bridge to somewhere beautiful," Miller said.
Miller told the crowd on Friday night that Kathy Tanner had the vision for the bridge and she and the first volunteers caught the torch and the vision grew to the bridge it is today.
"We hoped to create a four season garden for the enjoyment of all who come our way," said Kathy. "I think we have reached that goal. We can expand that now by saying that we have over 200,000 visitors a year, national and international of all ages. The uniqueness of our gardens and special features and themes that change with seasons makes us a place that appeals to such a variety of people."
"I am not a gardener," Miller quickly pointed out. "I can kill any flower. I had the idea and God gave everybody else the vision as to what it would be like. It is what I thought it could be. The right people came together, those who love plants and gardens. Gardeners are such visionary people," he said.
The Millers left Lake Lure in 2017 for Huntersville, and return to the mountains on occasion.
"I go there to the bridge and marvel. I praise all the volunteers."
Miller said when he first took the garden bridge idea to Town Council in 2011, he told Council he believed the bridge idea could have an economic impact on the communities, with an estimated 35,000 tourists to the area every year.
"Nearly 200,000 are visiting each year," he said.
"We can say that we are a favorite destination for visitors from all over the world," echoed Linda Reandeau, Marketing/Communications Chair for The Flowering Bridge.
Reandeau said when she and her husband were visiting Lake Lure as a potential place to move, one thing that attracted them to the area was the bridge.
She is among more than 45 dedicated volunteers who regularly tend to the flowers, gardens and its future.
"Many tend the gardens, but we also have volunteers who help with infrastructure, community outreach, education and other responsibilities," said Reandeau.
"People who visit the bridge are enamored by all that is offered. The bridge is open every day of the year and is always free. Many of the gardens are wheelchair accessible and we have a sensory cell phone tour which includes information for visitors who are sight impaired," she said.
Tour groups of all sizes and ages are invited to come to the bridge.
During the year, volunteers install different features highlighting the current season.
One of the most popular features returned on Tuesday, June 6 as fun and whimsical fairy gardens were installed through the gardens.
Classes are offered throughout the growing season and are usually on the last Tuesday of the month and are free to interested persons.
The changing of seasons and various topics are featured throughout the year at the bridge. The Christmas season is among the most beautiful times on the bridge as white lights decorate the entirely of the bridge.
One of the most popular areas is the small Rainbow Bridge and area dedicated to four-legged friends. The Rainbow Bridge serves as a memorial to pets who have passed away and pet owners put their collars on the bridge. People travel from across the country to put their pet collars on the bridge.
Other 10th anniversary plans for the bridge in addition to a new Education Center with a possible ground breaking this year, there will also be an exhibit at the Lake Lure Welcome Center that will detail the Bridge's transportation from a dilapidated structure into the beautiful gardens today and a unique symbol will be offered for the annual brick promotion to make the 10th anniversary.
An estimated $20,000 was raised at Friday night's garden party. The money will go toward the construction of an education center on the site. To learn more about the LLFC visit LLFB.org
