|
Inaugural Garden Expo draws big crowd |
|
Sunday, 08 March 2009 |
 Gwen Sisson/SDN Mackenzie Short, 3, of Starkville, and her cousin, Mia Vickers, 6, of Columbus admire some colorful flowers at one booth at the Everything Garden Expo at the Mississippi Horse Park on Saturday. The Expo concludes today. By GWEN SISSON
Starkville Daily News
Garden lovers were lined up at the door at 8 a.m. Saturday morning for the first Everything Garden Expo at the Mississippi Horse Park, and all of the first day armbands were sold out by mid-afternoon.
“Being the first year, we weren’t sure what to expect as far as the crowd goes,” said Candy Crecink of the Starkville Area Arts Council. “And with people lined up at the door this morning and happy vendors, we are excited at the turn out.”
It was a beautiful day to talk gardening. And with an exciting line up of speakers and topics, combined with a wide variety of vendors from throughout the state, the Everything Garden Expo was a “slam dunk” for the Starkville Area Arts Council on the first day of the event.
“This more than met any of our expectations,” Crecink said. “We have had vendors say it was so well laid-out and so well run. They said we were spoiling them!”
Jane Loveless, one of the organizers for the Everything Garden Expo, said she has been “very, VERY pleased” with the turn-out and with the event.
“It has been overwhelming,” Loveless said. “Every vendor has been pleased so far and we are selling out of our Saturday armbands.”
Other organizers include Imogene Triplet and Beverly Jones. Proceeds from the weekend event go to the Starkville Area Arts Council.
By mid-afternoon Saturday, the 1,500 armbands required for entry (that shows payment for entry into the event,) were gone and substitutions were having to be crafted on the spot. Organizers estimate 1,500 - 2,000 people have visited the Expo today.
And vendors have all said they hope SAAC will host the event again next year.
Daphna Cook and Judy Holder of Sweet Potato Sweets of Vardaman said they had just about sold out of what they brought by mid-day.
Mary kathryn Herrington of Ackerman and her daughter, Kathryn Davis of Alley Kats said they have been pleased with the turn out for the event and what they have been able to sell on Saturday.
Sandy Eiland of the Crow’s Nest from Winona said they have had a good day at the event and a lot of people have visited their booth.
Dixie McMinn of Starkville Co-op said they have been busy throughout the day at their booth at the Expo, and she was steadily checking out customers mid-afternoon Saturday.
One of the booths that had visitors talking was the Four Seasons Landscaping booth, with several water features dug into the MS Horse Park “floor.” (The Horse Park has a dirt floor for 4-H and other livestock-related events throughout the year.) Cliff Crowley of Four Seasons said it took about 10 hours to set up their booth on Friday. But organizers and visitors agreed that it was worth the work. Crowley said they have been excited to talk to visitors about the possibilities of creating water features at their homes.
Today’s events will feature three speakers that will inspire and enlighten. From noon to 1 p.m.
Dr. David Nagel will present Gardening for Looks and Cooks — Vegetable Gardening. Dr. Nagel is a vegetable specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service and professor of Plant and Soil Sciences. He will show visitors how to fill the flower bed as well as the dinner plate. He will discuss many varieties of ornamental fruits and vegetables, and recommends placement for a productive and aesthetically pleasing garden.
The best person in the state to discuss unconventional gardening is definitely Felder Rushing.
From 1:15-2:30 p.m., Rushing will talk about his own style of gardening that includes a large variety of weather-hardy plants and a collection of folk art. No turf grass allowed! Rushing loves plants, yard art and “people places.”
And rounding out today’s lineup, Dr. Sadik Artunc, head of the Mississippi State University Department of Landscape Architecture, shares tips and techniques for incorporating specialty lighting and adding hard features to lawns and gardens.
For children, Dr. Michael Williams, entomologist emeritus at MSU will discuss butterflies from 1:15-2:15 p.m.
He will use his expertise in butterflies and butterfly gardens to introduce children and hobbyists to a butterfly’s life cycle and habitat.
|
|
Last Updated ( Monday, 09 March 2009 )
|
