Floriade 2019's giant gnome named pink Floyd

On the fourth day of spring, Cultural Affairs Minister Gordon Ramsay announced the name of Floriade's new giant gnome, after a contest attracted more than 800 entries.

Public servants Crystal Prior, of Kambah, and Jane Paddick, of Queanbeyan, both came up with the winning name, "Floyd" and both won tickets to Nightfest.

Floyd will be helping to bring Floriade to the suburbs, Canberra's celebration of spring, which opens in Commonwealth Park on September 14 and continues until October 13.

Crystal and Jane were both inspired by the band Pink Floyd and the nod to Floriade in the name.

"It was a good play on the band Pink Floyd and the 'fl' for flowers, Floriade and Floyd. I just thought it would be really fitting," Jane said.

Crystal, wearing bright pink sneakers for the occasion, was a dedicated Floriade patron, and will even be dancing at Nightfest on the opening night.

"I love the spirit of Floriade and I love how family-friendly it is. There's something different to attend every day," she said.

"It's very professional and it's very well-run."

Mr Ramsay said 2.5m-high Floyd would be moving across the town centres throughout Floriade, spreading some of excitement, with kids' activities, pop-up food and drink and live entertainment.

"Part of us enlivening the city as Floriade takes over and the enjoyment of spring happens," he said.

The announcement was made at the Canberra airport on Wednesday.

"We know that many people will come to Canberra specifically for Floriade and I hope there will be thousands and thousands of people who chose to have their photo taken beside Floyd," Mr Ramsay said.

Floyd had already been to Wollongong and Albury to drum up interest in Floriade. The minister obviously enjoyed revealing the pink Floyd.

"You might be standing beside a wall, you might be wishing you were here. But whatever it is, Floyd is going to be there and out and about in Canberra," he said.

The times and dates for Floriade in the Suburbs - and to see Floyd the giant gnome - are: