The fourth annual GardenFest, sponsored by the Rush County Master Gardeners and Friends, turned the livestock pavilion at the fairgrounds in Rushville into a floral garden Saturday, swarming with shoppers and children.

“It was a huge success. People came through all day long. I don't know how many to estimate because I was kept hopping all day long,” Joyce Miller, chairperson for the GardenFest committee, said.

A Kids’ Korner was an added feature. Youngsters planted seeds and did garden crafts, as well as learning many ways to recycle.

“Kids’ Korner was new this year and it stayed busy all day long,” Miller said. “We had no idea that we would have that many kids show up.”

The free admission floral festival ran from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with 24 vendors and focused on recycling and being kind to the earth.

Special programs which were well-attended included Marvin Kuhn, teacher and Master Gardener, explaining how to start seeds, as well as how to save seeds for next year; Carrie Nicholson, Master Gardener intern, demonstrating how to recycle plastic grocery bags into attractive purses, bags and other useful items; Linda Davis and Michelle Manker, certified wildlife rehabilitators, explaining what to do if injured wild animals, or young wild animals that have lost a mother are found; Joyce Miller, Master Gardener, showcasing how to make your own home cleaning products without using chemicals; Kay Story, Master Gardener, demonstrating flower pounding, or imprinting flowers on fabric or paper; and DeLana Miller, Master Gardener, showing many ways to turn trash into garden treasures.

Although the GardenFest was the fourth annual such event, its history goes back farther.

“We started doing a small festival six or seven years ago when the Main Street group held their SpringFest the first weekend in May,” Miller explained. “We had it on the courthouse lawn and got pouring rain one year and it was always a challenge to get the flower vendors because they are so busy the first of May. That's why we wait until after Mother's Day for our event now. We get a better chance of getting the growers there.”  

Local organizers aren’t resting on their laurels since the success of this year’s event.

“We already have some ideas for programs for next year and I have had at least one business approach me to let me know that they would definitely like to have a booth there next year,” Miller noted. “Our goal is to fill the entire livestock pavilion with vendors and possibly even have a few more outside.”

Officers of the Rush County Master Gardeners and Friends are President Jane Adams, Vice President DeLana Miller, Secretary Cheryl Earnest, and Treasurer Carol Jones.

Master Gardener’s classes will begin again in the fall. For information call Joyce Miller at 932-2757 or the Rush County Cooperative Extension Office at 932-5974.

Jan Voiles can be contacted at jan.voiles@rushvillerepublican.com or at (765) 932-2222 ext. 107. Add a comment to this story at www.rushvillerepublican.com.