On Friday and Saturday, April 21-22, the Sacred Heart Cultural Center will be hosting a Garden City Festival featuring lush plants, pop-up demos, guest speakers, garden tours and vendors from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Throughout the event, five expert garden speakers will be presenting advice on an array of topics, such as: how-to demonstrations and tips to add more splendor to one’s private garden. Speakers will include: Judy Kirkland from Asclepias and More, Dr. Allan Armitage from the University of Georgia, Elliot Price from Vineyard Giving Farm, Jennifer Millwood from Wild Birds Unlimited and Ransom Schwrzler from Meadow Garden.
Speakers will present on Friday at 9:30 a.m. with Kirkland talking about the importance of native plants and how to incorporate them into home gardens, and Armitage speaking at 11 a.m. about the chaos of creating a garden and the benefits of downsizing. On Saturday at 9:30 a.m., Price will start by discussing how gardeners should plant seeds for successful growth, while Millwood discusses at 11 a.m. how to attract birds and pollinators to one’s backyard or porch. To end off, Schwerzler will present last at 12:30 p.m. to speak about the history of Georgia’s founding gardeners.
In between the expert speakers, attendees are encouraged to have breakfast or lunch from a food vendor, or enjoy other attractions of the event.
“Our vendors come from throughout the Augusta area and beyond, gathering in a central location at Sacred Heart Cultural Center,” according to a post from the Sacred Heart Cultural Center’s Facebook page. “With so many vendors in one place, you are bound to find a little something for your home or that one-of-a-kind gift for yourself or a friend.”
In addition to numerous local restaurants being walking distance from the center, food trucks at the event on Friday morning will include Kona Pizza, Dolce Darlin’ Bakery, Guild Goody Garden and Bruster’s Ice Cream. Whilst Saturday will have Diablo’s Southwest Grill, Georgia Sneaux, Haute Doughnuts and Guild Goody Garden.
Festival goers can visit eight different pop-up demos during the event, which will touch on topics such as small space gardening, making one’s own plant-based cleaner, the care and feeding of various plants, plants with healing benefits, aeroponics, canning vegetables, growing mushrooms and the basics of beekeeping.
Friday night from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., the Garden Social party will feature catered barbeque from The Pot Smoker served with beer, exclusive shopping until 6:30 p.m. and live music from The Mason Jars starting at 7 p.m.
Saturday morning from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. will offer family friendly activities revolving around planting seedlings, making seed balls and more. This year’s festival will also include face painting, and a picture with one’s favorite superhero from Props and Heroes. No need to buy tickets for youngsters either – admission will be free for those 12 years old and under who are accompanied by a ticketed adult.
Parking can be found across the street and to the left of the cultural center. If the parking becomes filled, guests will be directed towards a nearby area for more available spots.
For $75 per person, adults wanting special access to Thursday’s preview party on April 20 at 6 p.m. can enjoy early shopping, live painting, a silent auction, music and more. Attendees will be among the first to enjoy extraordinary gardens and floral exhibits created by local garden professionals. They will also get first access to purchase unique plants and garden accessories in the Garden Market.
Festival tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door, but those wanting access to the garden will have to pay for tickets that are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Friday’s Garden Social party will have tickets selling for $40 in advance.
To purchase tickets ahead of time, visit: www.SacredHeartAugusta.org/tickets
The Sacred Heart Cultural Center is located at 1301 Greene St. in downtown Augusta.
