Holiday rush for poinsettias in Denmark

DENMARK - Flowers, flowers and more flowers: Everywhere you look, there's a plethora of poinsettias, 100,000 in all.

"It's not just the red ones, it's the red and white, it's painted ones,” said Dean Knuth, the Denmark Lions Club president. "There are purple ones here, there's ones that they've painted. If you don't want a red one here you can choose from just about anything else,” said Knuth.

For 38 years, the Denmark Lions Club has sponsored a poinsettia fundraiser at Floral Plant Growers.

And just like the beautiful blooms, the event has blossomed into something the whole community looks forward to this time of year.

"I'm picking up some poinsettias for our family because we've been coming here for years. I have orders relatives put in and we come here and pick up all these poinsettias,” said Rose Skaletski, who drove in from Luxemburg for the sale.

It all adds up to tens of thousands of dollars the club gives back to dozens of local charities.

"We average about $53,000 a year back in donations. Judging from the people already today, I say it should be up from last year,” said Knuth.

The families who make this sale an annual tradition say the memories made here are almost as numerous as the poinsettias sold.

“We had not been here for many years and we needed a Christmas card and what a beautiful scenery with poinsettias. You don't get to see this many flowers in one area,” said Stacy Jauque, after posing with her husband and two young children by the poinsettias.

"It kicks off the holiday. It's a beautiful thing to come here and to see so many, and so many people gathered here. To see the little children come, and Santa to take pictures with, it's just a very special day,” said Skaletski.

A special day, kicking off a special season—one that's sure to fill many homes with bright, locally-grown blooms.

The Denmark Lions Club says the poinsettia sale is one of its largest fundraisers each year.