Rain doesn’t dampen mood at Flower and Food Fest
Pouring rain did not deter Nedra Casey and her friends from attending the Butler Flower and Food Fest on Saturday at Alameda Park.
These women were on a mission to brighten their homes and neighborhoods with the help of Master Gardeners from Penn State Extension, who hold the event as a fundraiser.
“I’m getting into plants to honor my mother,” Casey said from beneath her colorful umbrella. “She had hibiscus and other flowers all in her front yard. She was all about plants.”
Casey was on the hunt for lavender, while Diane Rappolt said a begonia plant caught her eye as she strolled past more than 40 vendors at the event.
She explained that begonias are a peach-colored flower that resemble roses.
“They usually have really good plants (at this event). The Master Gardeners know how to do this,” she said.
The Master Gardener’s plant sale bustled with people, who had armfuls of pots, bushes and little trees to purchase.
Rappolt said she also attended the sale last year and purchased a butterfly plant, which still is blooming today.
“I (hadn’t) seen any butterflies or birds or bees in my neighborhood, and I was trying to attract those. People don’t like bees, but we need them,” she said.
Alameda’s Odd Fellow Loop was a parade of children in rain boots and parents pulling carts of greenery. Face painting, music and food were just a few of the offerings at the event.
According to Diane Dallos, Master Gardener coordinator, the festival is more than a fundraiser. It’s also a partnership with Butler County Parks and Recreation.
“It’s a great way for us to increase our impact with the community,” she said. “We invite a lot of vendors from across the county.”
Local entities like Butler City Farmers’ Market sold produce, while others sold honey, birdhouses or gardening tools.
“It exposes people to other plant vendors and small businesses,” said Justine Brown, who helped facilitate the event.
Jennifer Hundertmark, from the Master Gardener’s office, said the one-day event was cheerful despite the gloomy skies.
“These are die-hard nature people,” she said. “It warms your heart; I love the atmosphere.”
Diane Dallos explained that the festival familiarizes the community with the services Master Gardeners provide, including educational programming and a hotline for people to ask questions about insects or local plants. The number is 724-287-4761, extension 7.
Representatives of the Master Gardeners were grateful to the community for showing up to the festival, despite inclement weather.
“We appreciate how nature doesn’t stop nature lovers,” said RaeLynn Harrison, of the Master Gardners.
The weather certainly didn’t put a damper on Rappolt’s time at the festival.
“It’s supposed to stop raining later. Who knows, maybe I’ll come back!” she said.
