|
Two
days of NATURE’S FINEST MARKETPLACE…
Gardenfest! has evolved
into a major happening for our community and for those throughout the Treasure
and Space Coasts, attracting more than 20,000 garden enthusiasts in 2012 with
almost 90 vendors, chosen by invitation and displaying a wide variety of native
plants, orchids, herbs, succulents, roses, ferns, shrubs, bamboo, palms, fruit
trees and more – all complemented by garden accessories including pottery,
fountains, furniture and lighting.
During the event weekend there were youth activities and a food vendor offering
a wide variety of choices from an open grill. In another area, local experts
rotated though our “Ask the Experts” tent sharing their knowledge and answering
questions for the general public. This year we were honored by the appearance of
Mel Bartholomew, author, TV host and inventor of Square Foot Gardening. His
appearance caused great excitement, and he appeared as an “expert” on both event
days. Check our slide show below for photos of Mr. Bartholomew and the large
crowds listening to him.
There are over 30 happy winners of our raffle, another sign of the support
received from the community.
Portions of the proceeds from
Gardenfest! go toward
projects of the Garden Club of Indian River County. Some of the recent
activities:
• Funding scholarships of students majoring in horticultural and environmental
sciences at the University of Florida, Fort Pierce campus.
• Supporting the Teaching Garden at the Gifford Youth Activity Center through
the IRC Extension Service Master Gardener Program.
• Partial landscaping of the new library at the Mueller Campus of Indian River
State College.
• Landscaping the entrance of the historic Heritage Center, a Vero Beach
landmark.
• Shade trees for play area at the Hibiscus Children’s Village, Vero Beach
campus.
• Funding new landscaping for The American Red Cross headquarters building.
• Funding upgrades for the Woman’s Club and additional landscaping for their
historic building.
The event opened at 9 a.m. each day, and there was an increase in those who
followed our suggestion to “bring your wagon.” Wise shoppers arrived early on
Sunday to hear the orchid expert and to shop when the crowds were the lightest.
Every year the weather can be a surprise, and this year Gardenfest! proved that
this is a great event “rain or shine.”
Next year’s event will again be held on the first weekend in February – the 2nd
and 3rd, 2013.
Gardenfest! continues
to grow as “Nature's Finest Marketplace.”
Our EXPERTS for 2012…
Dennis Gretton of D&D Growers
Mel Bartholomew, author, TV host and inventor of Square Foot Gardening
Cyndi Marks of Florida Bat Conservancy
Kathleen Hill, Education Coordinator of Indian River Lagoon National Estuary
Program
Paul Price of Odom’s Orchids
Richard Bamlet, Senior Forester of Florida Forest Service |
|
Many Thanks To Our Wonderful Sponsors!
| BLUE
RIBBON GARDENERS |
GREEN
THUMB GARDENERS |
Press Journal
The Breeze 93.7 & 97.1 Ocean FM
Vero Beach Magazine
AWARD WINNING GARDENERS
Publix Super Markets Charities, Inc.
|
Allamanda Garden Circle of GCIRC
Tom Collins Insurance Company
Florida Power & Light Company
Jack's Complete Tree Service
Jasmine Garden Circle of GCIRC
Poinsettia Garden Circle of GCIRC
|
BACKYARD GARDENERS
Carter Associates, Inc. - Engineers &
Land Contractors
F.V. Casano Electrical Contractors, Inc.
Donadio And Associates, Architects, P.A.
Todd Heckman, Estate Planning Advisors, Inc.
Meeks Plumbing, Inc.
Dace Stubbs
|
FRIEND
Dorothea Baird |
|
For more information contact
(772) 567-4602
or email us
Sponsorships and Advertising
Opportunities are available for 2013 ?
please contact us
Interested in being a
vendor for 2013?
Please click here
Please note that inquiries
from potential vendors must be done through mail and can not be
accepted by email or by telephone. Inquiries are reviewed by a
committee of members which decides if invitations will be
issued.
Gardenfest!
2012 Slideshow -
Please allow time for all
images to load...
for those of you with dial-up please
click here to view pictures from
Gardenfest!
2012.
Unable to see a slide show below? Allow
blocked content in Internet Explorer.
|
|
|
|
