About This Event
RAP's Garden Tour is an exclusive look behind the hedges and garden gates into the private outdoor living spaces of Riverside and Avondale residences. The 6th annual event, presented by The Tides Group, is on Saturday, May 9 from 10-4pm, featuring diverse yards, gardens, and exterior landscapes. Interact with homeowners, volunteers, Master Gardeners, and more for an opportunity to have all of your questions surrounding landscape design and gardening answered.
The perfect Mother's Day outing, the Garden Tour is family friendly and kids 12 and under are free!
The Garden Tour is organized and hosted by Riverside Avondale Preservation with a mission of preserving, enhancing and celebrating Riverside Avondale's historic fabric, arts and culture, local businesses, and public spaces. All proceeds from the Garden Tour help fund improvements and beautification in our neighborhood's public parks and spaces.
TICKETS
Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 the day of the event (May 9). Ticket holders will receive a program full of information about each property on the tour, as well as fun facts and other useful information.
HOME TOUR TICKET BUNDLE: To bundle a ticket to the Garden Tour and RAP's 52nd Annual Home Tour on April 11-12 (and save $5), visit THIS link.
MERCHANDISE
Inspired by the colors in the 2026 Garden Tour artwork by Nikki Swiderski, these custom designed and handblown watering globes from Burnt Glassworks are beautiful, functional art for your home or outdoor living spaces!
Bring a touch of nature to your office, kitchen window sill, or anywhere you please while commemorating the 2026 Garden Tour with these miniature watering can blossom kits. The kit includes one metal planter in the shape of a watering can, one seed packet of Florida Wildflowers, and one peat pellet. The watering can is lime green with white logo/font and measures 2 5/8" tall x 5 1/4" wide x 2" deep.
This is the inaugural year for the 2026 Garden Tour collectible patch! Attach it to your bucket hat, shirt sleeve, or anywhere you want to show off your love for RAP's annual Garden Tour! And add to your collection every year hereafter. This year's patch showcases the artwork of Nikki Swiderski and measures 2" x 2.5".
Nurtured and raised by Mike Groeschel, owner of SkyDog Family Bonsai, take an elephant bush (dwarf jade) home and start your own bonsai ritual. Scientifically known as portulacaria afra, this bushing succulent can grow to incredible heights when given the proper time, nutrients, and growing conditions. It can also be used in hanging baskets to add “spiller.”
Purchase any of these items now at checkout and you will receive them when you check in for the Garden Tour on May 9.
TWILIGHT PARTY
Join Riverside Avondale Preservation, homeowners Michael W. and Dr. Linda McLucas Fisher, and presenting sponsor CovingtonAlsina for an evening of celebration to usher in the 6th Annual Garden Tour on Thursday, May 7 from 7-9pm.
Guests will enjoy Asian-inspired music from Yun-Ting Kuo and Kayo Ishimaru Fleisher, Jacksonville Symphony principal cello and harp, respectively. Heavy hors d'oeuvres courtesy of Biscottis and creative cocktails from Luau Lads will be served. Cocktails include:
Peach Passion: Vanilla Vodka, Peach Nectar, Peach Sparkling Water, Cherry & Parasol Garnish
Greenteani: Vanilla Vodka, Midori Liquor, Green Tea, Dried Citrus Garnish
Old Fashioned: Bourbon, Bitters, Lemon Twist, Sugar Cube, Orange Slice & Cherry Garnish
The Fishers are the third owners of the house and raised their two children there. The rear garden was installed in the mid-1980s with brick infrastructure and fountain complimenting the house, adding an Asian aesthetic with lanterns and statuary.
Michael is the second of four generations of Fishers to reside in Avondale. A retired tax attorney, he co-founded the firm of Fisher Tousey in 1978 while renovating the house. Fisher is an avid collector of more than 600 museum quality prints, maps and publications centered on the history of Florida, some of which will be displayed at the Twilight Party. The Fishers recently renovated the garden and have made it accessible for all visitors to enjoy.
Proceeds from the Twilight Party also fund our neighborhood parks.
The addresses for the Twilight Party and featured properties on the Garden Tour will be released sometime in April. We wait to release this information to protect property owners' privacy. The list of properties will be located here, and will be emailed to all ticket holders at that time.
Where It's Happening
Meet the Organizer
Riverside Avondale Preservation Inc. (RAP) is a private, non-profit membership organization whose mission is to enhance and preserve the architecture, history, cultural heritage and economic viability of the historic neighborhoods of Riverside and Avondale.
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