Plant and Garden Festival Offers Respite from Hurricane Cleanup.
In a refreshing break from post-hurricane recovery efforts, local residents can look forward to shopping for flowering plants and garden items at the annual Plant and Garden Festival this weekend. Thousands of plants will be on display, offering a colorful experience for attendees.
The free, two-day event will be held on October 19 and 20, hosted by the GFWC Woman’s Club of Lake Wales. Vendors and nurseries from across Florida will showcase a wide selection of decorative annuals, perennials, shrubs, and trees. The festival will take place at the clubhouse grounds, located at 275 East Park Avenue, downtown.
Despite being a relatively new event—it started only a year ago—the festival quickly became a hit. “It was so popular that vendors asked us to extend it to a second day,” said event chairwoman Pat Roberts, who organizes the festival.
The festival will start at 9 a.m. on both Saturday and Sunday, ending at 3 p.m. on Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Around 50 booths have been reserved for the event.
The scenic grounds of the clubhouse, overlooking Crystal Lake, will provide a beautiful backdrop to the vibrant display of plants. Mild autumn weather, with pleasant temperatures and partly cloudy skies, is expected to enhance the overall experience.
Food trucks will be on-site, and picnic tables near the lake will create a perfect setting for attendees to enjoy a day outdoors. The festival also serves as a chance for the community to gather and relax after the stress of dealing with two consecutive hurricanes. Mental health experts suggest that outdoor activities and social interaction can help reduce stress.
Proceeds from the event will support the Woman’s Club’s charitable work, including a scholarship fund that assists graduating seniors with college expenses. Attendees will have opportunities to participate in prize drawings, with baskets filled with gifts donated by local businesses.
Roberts highlighted the importance of the event, saying, “It brings attention to all the good work our members do for the community. We’re always looking for new members!”
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