Daryl Yerdon, president of the New Hampshire Orchid Society and Nancy Duffy, society treasurer, both residents of Milford, show off the exhibit presented by the organization’s members. Photo by LORETTA JACKSON

NASHUA – The brilliance and fragrance of exotic orchids, displayed by the hundreds in artistic groupings as competition entries from regional orchid clubs, delighted hundreds of visitors from many states who attended on the weekend of March 28-30 a grand event, “Flights of Fancy,” a 32nd annual Show & Sale presented by the New Hampshire Orchid Society at the Courtyard by Marriott in Nashua.

“This is my first show and I’m impressed,” said Nashua’s Dan Moriarty who attended the event with orchid enthusiast Debbie Loesel of Waltham, Mass., the proud steward of nearly 20 orchids at her home.

The crowd perused orchid specimens including Vanda, Dendrobium and Phalaenopsis. Purple-and-pink Cattleya orchids, reminiscent of those gracing the wrist corsages worn to senior proms in the days of old, gleaned cell phone photos from admirers.

The weekend included seminars on orchid care and propagation. Participants included: American Orchid Society, Amherst Orchid Society, Cape & Islands Orchid Society and Connecticut Orchid Society, along with Maine Orchid Society, Massachusetts Orchid Society and Nutmeg State Orchid Society. Google for websites and more information.

A full range of brochures, magazines and hand-outs including issues of Orchid Digest, a valued resource based in California and an authority for more than 80 years, was available. Popular too were the wares of vendors, nursery businesses and growers of orchid plants from a dozen states, plus tropical climes including Taiwan and Ecuador. Artworks featuring orchids were awarded.

“This event gives visitors an opportunity to escape the New Hampshire weather for a few hours to enjoy a room full of amazing blooming orchids of all shapes and sizes,” said Daryl Yerdon, NHOS president and a resident of Milford.

More information on the New Hampshire Orchid Society, which meets on the second Saturday of most months at Bedford Old Town Hall from Noon to 3 p.m., can be found online: nhorchids.org.

Amherst Orchid Society of Massachusetts representatives Joseph Maciaszek, former president, and wife Marge Maciaszek, admire an expansive display of dozens or orchids up for prizes and praise at the New Hampshire Orchid Society’s 32nd Annual Show & Sale presented to hundreds of visitors during the weekend of March 28-30 at the Courtyard by Marriott in Nashua. Photo by LORETTA JACKSON

Brigitte Fortin of Marblehead, Mass., a member of the New Hampshire Orchid Society and Massachusetts Orchid Society director, takes a look at some of the ornate specimens displayed for sale and for competition at the venue. Photo by LORETTA JACKSON

Cornstarch mixed with Elmers Glue makes a fine medium for molding and shaping dozens of varieties of orchids and other flowers made for Jai’s Cornstarch Flowers, originating with Jai Kelley or Newton, Mass., whose arrangement is here featured as a prize winner at the NHOS event. Photo by LORETTA JACKSON