By Dave Sanders (a.k.a. Dave Sanders)
May 30, 2012

Theresa Diersen and Jennifer Parker Hardin 

“Flingling”  (fling’•ling) noun. def: A person or people who gather together once a year to welcome the upcoming Spring and Summer months by consuming copious amounts of alcohol and dancing like complete buffoons.

Now before I use the word in a sentence you must know that this definition has been subject to much debate and interpretation. In fact, if you try to use the word in Scrabble, you’ll likely be accused of cheating. And as I write this, my spell check won’t even recognize it. But, to a great many Flinglings, it has great significance. For there is only one day out of the year where the Flingling can regain his or her strength. I am, of course, talking about the Cincinnati Horticultural Society’s annual fundraiser known as Cincinnati Spring Fling.

Meghan Mongillo, Clint Watson, Emily Mongillo, and Adam Kleshinski

Years ago, this legendary event got its roots as the finale to the Cincinnati Flower Show. Once held at Ault Park, it was usually referred to by regular attendees (including myself) as the “Hyde Park Prom.” Yes, it was the source of many fond memories—and even fonder memory loss. And like a dandelion, it grew and grew and was later moved to Coney Island. Sadly, the Flower Show lost most of it’s petals and was discontinued a couple of years ago, but the Spring Fling managed to keep growing.

Jean Robert de Cavel (center) 

This year, the Flinglings all gathered at my favorite Coney event venue, Moonlight Gardens – with a portion of the proceeds benefitting the de Cavel Family SIDS Foundation. What an arrangement it was! The weather was amazing and the sounds of the season were amplified by the band, 3 Day Rule. Taste buds were also satisfied by several of the area’s favorite local restaurants like Nicholson’s, The Dilly Cafe, Washington Platform, and La Poste to name a few. Add a raffle, a photo booth and several hundred people to the mix and you have the perfect bouquet.

pizza swirl, looks sooooo darn good

Head chairs Ron Hollmann and Nichole Wilson and the rest of the event planning committee have a great deal to proud of this year. Mother Nature certainly did her part too. The event definitely lived up to its reputation as a floral fixation and kept everyone on the edge of their dancing shoes until the bars shut down. As an original Flingling, I was especially thrilled to see that the Fling of Spring was alive and flourishing. Who knows, maybe it’s continued success will sow the seed for the return of the National Flower Show that originally gave it life. As the saying goes, “If you plant it… they will come.”

Flinglings unite!

*Photo credits: Mark Byron Photography

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