CHESTERTOWN — There is a season— turn, turn, turn! That season is spring and with it comes the Chestertown Garden Club’s premier annual garden sale, May Mart, to be held on Friday, May 3, starting at 9 a.m. in downtown’s Memorial Park.
May Mart is the sole fundraising event for the Club, according to member and May Mart Co-Chair, Penny Block, who noted that the members take nearly an entire year to plan and execute the annual initiative.
“We start planning for this event, as soon as [the current one] is over,” said Block, of the “all-hands-on-deck” coordinated effort.
What is created is a morning and early afternoon—the event is open until 1 p.m.—filled with the beauty, bouquet, and bounty from several local farms that raise and then donate the plants for sale at reasonable prices to the community.
“Eastern Shore Tents & Events provided all the tents, chairs, and tables …. and we have wonderful donations from several nurseries in the area including shrubs and small trees,” said Block, for which they are so grateful.
Tideland Gardens of Chestertown, and Angelica Nurseries and Bonnie Plant Farm, both of Kennedyville, will be supplying the varieties of flowering perennials, some annuals, native plants, and a selection of herbs and vegetable plants for sale.
Plants will be tagged with basic growing information and divided into groups according to shade, sun, partial sun, and drought-resistant categories.
When asked if there was a strategic approach to shopping at the Mart, Block said, “Head to the plant table first,” because she said it will be easy to become distracted by the sights and smells of the event’s other attractions.
Block was happy to announce that they will be working with Happy Chicken Bakery, Catering & Cafe for the first time this year and they will be offering a menu of tasty breakfast sandwiches starting at 8 a.m. You can also get your morning coffee at their stand and choose from a selection of items for the lunch hour. Additional beverages will also be available for purchase and event participants can even pre-order items at happychickenbakery.com prior to Mart morning.
Event-goers will also have the opportunity to purchase a treat from the Club’s yummy Bake Sale table, and shop the “All Things Garden” section for a variety of new and gently used garden-themed items for sale. Raffle tickets can be purchased to support the cause, as well. Three tickets for $5 will be available and the winner will receive a $100 gift certificate that can be used at participating downtown Chestertown shops and restaurants. Mart shoppers will have the added convenience of paying via credit card this year.
Along with the time and attention the Club provides year-round to maintain and beautify Chestertown’s Fountain and Memorial Parks, the members whose motto is “Rooted in Community Service since 1931”, also seeks to inform and educate the public by way of on-going initiatives such as its recent innovation, the “Good Seeds’’ garden program. This community-centric collaboration of parents, teachers, students, local businesses, and the Town, recently worked together to provide new landscaping at Chestertown’s H.H. Garnet Elementary School. This project also provided for the addition of a dedicated environmental learning space, which is already in full use by the school.
The day’s festivities will proceed rain or shine, and since this is the season to turn, turn, turn, Block said the Club is hoping for only the best of turn-outs no matter the weather.
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