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GET YOUR SEAT TODAY!
Don’t miss your chance to attend our premier spring event and garden party with other northern gardeners.
GALA DETAILS
WHEN
Saturday
April 25, 2026
11 AM – 2:30 PM
WHERE
*New location*
Minnesota State Fair
North End Event Center
Falcon Heights, MN
(Hoyt Ave. Entrance)
PRICING
$90 for members
$100 general admission
$850 for a table of 10
(includes luncheon and activities)
On average, approximately $45 of each ticket is tax-deductible and directly supports the mission of the Minnesota Horticultural Society.
WHAT TO EXPECT?
Gourmet luncheon:
Savor a delicious lunch
during presentations by
our celebrity emcees
and garden experts.
Enjoy a lively plant “Style Show”:
Preview exciting new plants
for 2026 presented by
industry leaders!
Fun & Games
Enjoy exclusive swag bags,
a raffle, a silent auction of
unique horticultural finds
and our attendee favorite,
the Wall of Wine.
EVENT EMCEES
Leah McLean
KSTP-TV anchor
Previous Experience
Leah joined 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS in June 2004. She has worked as a producer, reporter and now anchors the Midday & afternoon newscasts. Born and raised in Minneapolis, Leah traveled the country to gain experience before coming home to work at KSTP. She got her broadcasting start at KGUN-TV in Tucson, Arizona. She also worked at KTVZ-TV in Bend, Oregon and Wausau, Wisconsin. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of St. Thomas in both Communication and Spanish.
Personal Interests
Leah grew up in Minneapolis and attended Minnehaha Academy, where she later served as a member of the board. She is happy to support local education at her alma mater, and other public schools, through charitable organizations. “Minnesota is home,” Leah says. “I run into Minnesota nice everywhere I go.” She lives in the West Metro. When she’s not at work, Leah is often out walking around the Minneapolis Chain of lakes. She and her little girls love spending time outdoors biking, skiing and enjoying all Minnesota has to offer.
Larry Pfarr
KSTP-TV host, “Get Growing with Larry Pfarr”
Larry Pfarr’s lifelong passion for all things plants and gardening began at a very young age when he was raised on a farm near Le Sueur, MN. In high school, he was active in 4-H and FFA and took horticulture classes at Mankato State University.
His career path led him to Bachman’s Floral, Home, Gift and Garden, where, for 24 years, he worked in various capacities, eventually serving as a company director. He opened four of their largest stores and oversaw visual merchandising, store design, gift and home buying, and the marketing department.
In 1997, he began presenting on-air gardening segments for 5 Eyewitness News—a career that lasted for 25 years until he retired from that work in 2022.
In November 2016, he returned to where his gardening passion began, the family farm, where he spends his spare time raising honeybees and continuing his love for all things gardening.
Who will be there?
- MSHS members: Connect with fellow gardening enthusiasts and experts.
- Garden clubs: Network with members from various garden clubs to share tips, stories and inspiration.
- Master Gardeners: Engage with master gardeners who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table.
- Many more: Enjoy this chance to mingle with fellow green-thumbed enthusiasts who share your passion for all things botanical.
Partner and sponsorship options
As a sponsor, you’ll have the unique opportunity to: showcase your brand to a dedicated and passionate audience of gardeners and horticulture enthusiasts, engage with community leaders and influencers in the gardening world and support horticultural education and community gardening initiatives.
Learn more about our Spring Garden Gala sponsorship opportunities here.
Help us spread the word!
We’d like to encourage sponsors, community partners and attendees to share the event in your social media, email or website platforms! You may access our media kit below for suggested copy, designed social media posts and links to share out. Thank you for spreading the word about our premier fundraising event!
The Spring Garden Gala is generously supported by:
BLooming Sponsors
BUDDING Sponsors
Community Partners
Plants and other gifts have been generously provided by:
This year’s Gala is dedicated to Judy MacManus
Judy MacManus
Executive Committee
Friends of MSHS
Growing up on a farm in southern MN, Judy experienced the joys of gardening at a young age and grew to understand the importance of stewardship of the land. This background carried forward into her adult life and manifested in her love of gardening and concern for the environment.
An MSHS member for 25+ years, Judy was also a member of the Garden Club of Ramsey County and the St. Paul Garden Club. She earned a degree in art at the College of St. Benedict and pursued a career in advertising, marketing and design. Judy was the chair of the Spring Garden Gala committee for many years and led many of its positive changes. Her last days were spent working on this year’s location change and presentation.
She will be missed dearly.
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