WAYZATA — Downtown Wayzata was bursting with color and kindness on Wednesday morning as Candlelight Floral & Gifts once again led the city’s annual Petal It Forward event.
In just 90 minutes, the Candlelight team handed out 750 bouquets along Lake Street and the Panoway, inviting people to keep one bouquet and share another with someone else—a simple act meant to brighten two days instead of one.
The Petal It Forward movement, launched nationally by the Society of American Florists, is designed to surprise strangers with flowers as a way to promote gratitude and connection. In Wayzata, the tradition has become a fall highlight thanks to the enthusiasm of the Candlelight Floral crew, who fill the sidewalks with laughter, petals, and spontaneous moments of joy.
“Another successful #PetalItForward in the books!” the shop shared in a Facebook post after the event. “The smiles on everyone’s faces, the hugs and the joy of sharing flowers fills our hearts! Cheers to the Len Busch Roses crew for joining us yet again and for the beautiful flowers (and the 🍕 obvi!). We’re missing a few of our crew in the pics, but we couldn’t do it without them! We love you all and are so grateful to have you in our floral family.”
Located at 275 E. Lake Street, Candlelight Floral & Gifts has been a fixture of downtown Wayzata for decades, known not just for its artistry in design but for its heart for community.
Petal It Forward may last only a few hours each year, but for many who left with armfuls of blooms and unexpected smiles, it’s a reminder that kindness—like flowers—tends to multiply when shared.