With at least 15,000 people already expected to enjoy the 2005 Annual Exhibition at the Botanical Gardens from Thursday to Saturday, Government is urging still more to come to see the new events.

Speaking from the grandstand at the Botanical Gardens yesterday, Environment Minister Neletha Butterfield spoke proudly of the work her Ministry had accomplished to get the gardens ready after the severe damage caused by Hurricane Fabian forced the exhibition to be cancelled last year.

?The gardens are now in fine form and the Department of Parks, in conjunction with other Government departments and partners, has been working hard on preparations for our annual extravaganza?which I?m sure you will agree is Bermuda?s most popular community event,? she said.

?This will be the 67th Annual Exhibition and the theme for this year is ?Come and Grow With Us??.

She encouraged visitors, residents, seniors and young people to come out, observe and participate in the many events in store including equestrian events, educational displays, a junior art competition and a parish relay race.

New categories include woodworking, where people will be challenged to build a small wooden Bermuda home without the use of starter kits.

The Minister said she was especially pleased to note that a dozen local schools have been experimenting with hydroponic kits and encouraged the public to visit their displays.

Hydroponic kits are used to grow plants, vegetables, fruits and herbs indoors.

And the Cirque Magnifique will perform three times daily, she said, once in the main ring and twice in the lower entertainment ring.

?Let me assure you this troupe will dazzle and amaze you with their distinctive performance of artistry, skill, co-ordination and choreography,? she said.

The Bermuda Regiment Band will be playing at the opening ceremony at 1 p.m. on Thursday and will be repeating their performance from the 2004 Edinburgh Military Tattoo at the closing ceremony at 5.30 p.m. on Saturday.

?For those who were not able to travel to Edinburgh last summer here is the place to be,? she said.