The 15th annual Nelson Garden Festival is set to run on Saturday, May 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the 200 block of Baker St. and the 500 block of Kootenay St. West Kootenay EcoSociety markets director Jesse Woodward is excited to take on the challenge for the third year in a row.
“Last year’s Gardenfest was such a wonderful and super popular event with amazing weather and huge crowds,” Woodward said. “I feel that this market perfectly fits into all of the other market organization that I already do and adds another wonderful element of community engagement to the EcoSociety’s roster.”
Woodward is in his fifth year managing the West Kootenay EcoSociety’s Cottonwood Community Market, Nelson Downtown Local Market, and Friday-night Market Fest events.
Three avid local gardeners started this market in 2002 with just a few tables set out on Hall St. It has now grown into one the yearly market highlights in Nelson with over 50 vendors and community groups on hand with perennials, annuals, vegetable starts, trees and flowers — just about everything a gardener needs to get started or add to an already great gardening endeavor. There is even a giant truck full of local chicken manure that sells out every year. If you like to garden, this market should not be missed.
“We always hold it on Mother’s Day weekend so you can get something for Mom’s garden as well as your own,” said Glyn Violini, one of the original organizers who is still involved. Violini says she is impressed, but not surprised, that the festival has become so successful. “We knew from the response at the very first festival. This is a community that wants to support local agriculture and local growers. Gardeners know that locally adapted seeds and plants will be healthier and more vigorous.”
There will live music by the Catherine McGrath Band who will play from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the centre of the market.
Baker and Kootenay streets will be closed in front of the Bank of Montreal from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. Late-night Nelsonites are reminded to move their parked cars from the festival blocks on Friday night to avoid problems in set up on Saturday.