CORNWALL, Ont. – Grab your garden gloves and head over to the Justice Building Plaza for the fourth annual Incredible Edible Plant Festival.
The free event, founded by Transition Cornwall + Food Action Group, will run from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday (May 28), and will feature a vegetable plant give-away and a huge bouquet of free, family-centered activities hosted by members of the All Things Food Network.
“For those new to gardening, we will have experienced gardeners at information tables, ready and eager to help you pick the right plant for your patio, step, or balcony,” said Bill Carriere of Transition Cornwall+ (a working group of the Cornwall Social Development Council).
As in previous years, attendees will be invited to take home one of these free potted vegetable plant to try growing food at home.
Carriere said over 400 cherry tomatoes, green beans, spinach, lettuce, and sweet pepper plants have been generously donated by TC+ Food Action Group and Marlin Orchards in preparation for the big event.
Young and budding gardeners are invited to help Growing Up Organic, event partner, plant the downtown fire station and Justice Building community vegetable gardens. These gardens will provide free food for the surrounding neighbourhood throughout the summer.
“This year we decided to also create a pollinator garden near the police station, which will help support butterflies and bees in our community,” said Kat Rendek, coordinator at All Things Food Network.
The Incredible Edible Plant Festival will also feature free gardening activities, cooking workshops, and live music being offered by event partners Kozroots Community Empowerment Projects, Early Years Centre, Seaway Valley Community Health Centre, and local musical artists.
On-going activities include sunflower planting, garden crafts, sensory games, table top toys, and face-painting.
“So you will want to bring a picnic and stay for the whole day,” said Rendek.
In celebration of the Transition Cornwall+ Active Transportation Challenge (June 5-11), festival attendees are encouraged to walk, bike, roller blade, or bring strollers to the event. Bike and Stroller Valet Service will be available on site and monitored by members of the TC+ Active Transportation Group.
For more information, visit transitioncornwall.com/food-action-group.
Workshop and Planting Schedule:
11:30 a.m. – Cooking demo, Seaway Valley Health Centre (SVHC)
12:30 p.m. – Cooking demo, SVHC
1 p.m. – Planting community garden, Justice Building Plaza
1:30 p.m. – Cooking demo, SVHC
2 p.m. – Planting community garden, fire station
