The sky was blue, the sun shone brightly on October 2 for our Harvest Festival, sponsored by the Vancouver Master Gardener Chapter at VanDusen Botanical Garden. This public education event, was a fundraiser with proceeds being shared by both the Chapter and the VanDusen Education Dept.
Inside the Floral Hall was teamed with vendors and master gardener displays, including a ‘Kids Korner’ for the little ones to learn about the ‘grass’ family and all the foods that come from it. There were tents outside full of plants and apples; Blackberry Hill provided soup, sandwiches, coffee and all sorts of tempting treats. Other vendors joining us included KelpMan Products, Domino Necklaces and Barefoot Books. Master Gardeners provided displays covering many subjects including composting with a worm bin, soils, fruit trees, pests and some controls, organic coffee samples and organic garlic. There were apples, apple (and other fruit) trees from Derry’s Orchard, compost and spring bulbs from VBGA, plant sales from Buds ‘n Petals as well as our own MG members and honey from Blessed Bee Farm.
Entry to the event was by donation at the door and everyone donned a flower sticker after paying. Folks wandered in and out talking, asking questions and spending money. Some bought early Christmas gifts from Domino Necklaces and Barefoot Books while others bought the coco mat for next year’s hanging baskets or goodies from the baking table. Vendors and master gardeners had time to visit with both customers and each other sharing information and ideas.
Thank you to all the Master Gardeners who potted up plant donations a little earlier than usual so that we had some to sell; to the VBGA Compost & Bulb sale committee for the use of their tents. Thanks for letting us have compost and bulbs to sell, and thanks, VBGA Ed Dept., for the ‘Kids Korner’! Thanks also to the following Master Gardeners for their assistance with set up, cleanup, manning the donation jars, displays, and generally pitching in all day long! It is so appreciated: Lyn Anderson, Joan Bentley, Dorothy Lee, Barbara Bowers, Maureen Thackery, Janet Hamilton, Jill Wright, Teya MeiLan, Sharon Hanna, Heather Nielsen, Karen Taylor –Hill, Barbara Phillips, Derry Walsh, Mike Nassichuk, Doyne Sillery, Brian Campbell, Linda Wright and Kathy Skolaude. And a special thank you to Karen Taylor-Hill for taking photos.
Watch for our next public education fundraiser – Seedy Saturday on February 25, 2012. Next year’s Harvest Festival is booked for September 29, 2012 – put it on your calendar!
Lynne Chrismas,
Harvest Festival Coordinator
Joan and Dorothy setting up the plant sale table - all plant donations from Chapter members
Blackberry Hill provided treats for the hungry shoppers
VanDusen Education Dept provided a 'kids korner' with hands-on activiites based on the grass family and all the foods we get from it.
Information about composting was available including a sample of the 'working' worm bin
