From the decaying ruins of Glasgow's abandoned docklands emerged a lush and verdant oasis that attracted millions of visitors from far and wide.
On April 26, 1988, the Glasgow Garden Festival opened to the public, sparking a cultural and economic revival that's still being felt to this day.
Transforming the derelict former Prince's Dock at Govan, the horticultural extravaganza saw an incredible 4.3 million visitors flock to the city's riverside during its April to September run, making it by far the most successful of the five UK National Garden Festivals.
READ MORE: Throwback 1988 clip shows Glasgow's legendary Coca-Cola roller coaster in action
As the first event on such a scale to be hosted in Glasgow since the Empire Exhibition 50 years earlier in 1938, the Garden Festival also marked the centenary of the city's first International Exhibition, the International Exhibition of Science, Art and Industry of 1888.
Features included the 73 metre high Clydesdale Bank 150th Anniversary Tower, the Coca-Cola Roller roller coaster, a miniature railway and five former Glasgow Corporation Tramways vintage trams running again in the city along the riverside.
Royal couple Prince Charles and Princess Diana even took a ride on one of the vintage trams when they visited for the official grand opening three days after the festival opened to the public.
As the shipbuilding and engineering industries were in decline, Glasgow was battling to restore its reputation in the UK and overseas and show how hard its people had worked to fight poverty.
And, in the eyes of many Glaswegians at the time, it would no doubt live up to its slogan "It's A Day Out of This World."
For the entire summer, the Clydeside was transformed into a riverside wonderland. Who could forget the spine-chilling Coca-Cola rollercoaster? Or the 240ft Clydesdale Bank Tower looming above the fairground?
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The Bell's Bridge was built for the festival, allowing visitors to cross the River Clyde on foot.
It also boasted a lush bonsai garden and the biggest teapot in the world – while a miniature railway snaking its way along the riverside lined with huge flower ornaments.
Thousands of families swarmed to the colourful wonderland in the heady days of summer, exploring Oor Wullie's garden and having picnics on the grass.
As the darker, cooler autumn days began to draw in, hundreds of punters gathered at the riverside, clambering up poles and buildings for the grand finale; a fantastic fireworks display which lit up the iconic Finnieston Crane.
There is little evidence nowadays that such an action-packed sensory spectacle once enchanted Glaswegians on the banks of the River Clyde – but it will live long in the memory of those who ventured there in the summer of a lifetime.
Posting on our Facebook page, Glasgow Live asked readers to chip in with their own memories of the unforgettable 1988 extravaganza.
Liz McGrath commented: "Absolutely loved this. Went several times and wished it would stay forever."
Annie Melannie said: "Can remember it so well! Weather was lovely and the year I met my darling."
"It was a brilliant time," wrote Ann Goggins. "The Garden Festival was amazing, we lived in Bowling at the time and saw the cups and saucers coming up the Clyde on small boats. I remember going on the Coca Cola ride - lol. Oh, happy days."
Alan Anderson wrote: "My goodness time flies in. I was at opening. Princess Diana was so young. Was magic festival in general."
Bridget Allan said: "Loved it! Glasgow at its best."
Sheena Lamond commented: "Still got our prizes from our vegetables in the Scotland team in the international competition."
Gina Harris added: "Now I feel really auld."
Writing on Twitter in a response to a Lost Glasgow tweet, @Moomum64 said: "It was amazing. I loved it. I took my brownies to it on the Girl Guides day and I went with my boyfriend for a visit too. We have been married now for 33 and a good bit years. I remember the Garden Festival like it was yesterday."
@drdjmath tweeted: "Good memories of exhibiting the scented garden for the deaf-blind that the pupils of my gardening club and me put together at St Mungo’s Academy."
Click on our gallery link below to view images of the 1988 Glasgow Garden Festival.
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