The Woman Behind the Indy 500 Winner's Wreath
Yorktown, Indiana about an hour's drive northeast of Indianapolis seems an unlikely birthplace for one of the most iconic floral arrangements in motorsports!
With a population of 9,405, the town is roughly a third the size of the Paddock seating section at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Here, a block away from the town's single main road, is a small flower shop called Buck Creek Bloom. It is here Julie Vance can be seen through the front windows piecing together the intricate wreath for that Sunday's Indy 500 winner to wear on the victory podium as every champion has since 1960.
Vance, who crafted her first 500 wreath when she was only 22 years old, isn't the first person to have the job; Bill Conin, the original florist, did the honors until his death in 1989. The torch then passed to Dan and Joyce Purifoy, who made the wreath for two years before giving the job to Vance.
But Joyce Purifoy had to persuade the BorgWarner committee to let Vance have the time-honored assignment!
"Joyce had to convince them that I could handle it, that I was capable. It was a .. I know she's young, but she can do this type of thing. I was excited, especially for my Dad's sake because he's a big race fan. He's been to the Indy 500 ten times."
Julie Vance
Making that first wreath wasn't easy. According to Vance, it took longer than seven hours to construct as she struggled with the wreath's previously "busy" design. She and the Purifoys gave the wreath the look we recognize today: cocculus, pittosporum, salal leaves, 33 white cymbidium orchids (one representing each driver), red/white and blue ribbon and a base inscribed with the words, BorgWarner. The durable cymbidium orchids can last for a few weeks before withering and Vance chose a neutral color so they wouldn't clash with whatever fire suit the winning driver might be wearing.
Crafting the iconic Indy 500 prize brings more than just enjoyment and prestige to Vance. It's also good business: Couples looking for a wedding florist often come to her because they know she builds the wreath! But keeping the gig has involved overcoming obstacles as well. When several of the materials Vance uses were set to be discontinued, she stockpiled enough to last for at least another 15 years!
"I hope I can build it for as long as I can or until I can't do it anymore."
Julie Vance
What's in the Wreath?
33 white orchids
33 mini water tubes
24-inch polyurethane base
30 feet of red, white and blue ribbon
70 feet of green floral tape
60 small checkered flags
1.5 pounds of hot glue
Total weight: 30 pounds!
Pat Locke
Maestro Muse
