West Chester resident Sam Lemheney, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s vice president and chief of shows and events, is the man behind the Philadelphia Flower Show, the world’s largest and longest-running show of its kind, writes Fabiola Cineas for Philadelphia magazine.

The recent event at the Pennsylvania Convention Center attracted around 250,000 people over a seven-day period. It has been running for nearly two centuries and is in the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s oldest flower show.

“We were founded in 1829 and have continued ever since,” said Lemheney.

In addition to his usual organizational tasks, Lemheney also has hidden responsibilities, like moving chairs, collecting trash, and rearranging floral displays.

“My team and I do whatever it takes to get the job done and make sure the guests have a great experience,” he said.

He also noted that there is some trickery involved.

“The plants, trees, flowers, and shrubs don’t normally bloom this time of year, so we have to force them into blooming early and kind of trick mother nature,” he said.

Read more about Sam Lemheney in Philadelphia magazine here.

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