A container garden contest is just one of the activities that will be part of the Lewiston GardenFest to be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 17 and Sunday, June 18 along Center Street in Lewiston. (Just keep driving along Center Street and you’ll see it.)
The festival will include more than 50 vendors selling flowers, plants and garden essentials. There will also be speakers, demonstrations, a free garden walk and more throughout the weekend.
The event is presented by the Lewiston Garden Club. This year marks the 90th anniversary of the club, with local businesses joining in the celebration with garden-themed window displays.
Container contest
Try out your own gardening skills by entering the container garden contest. Prepare a special arrangement in a traditional container or think outside the planter. Take your container entry along with a stand for display to the hospitality booth located in Hennepin Park by 9 a.m. Saturday, June 17.
“Our container garden contest is one of the highlights of Lewiston GardenFest, with participants getting more creative every year,” said Doreen Albee, Lewiston GardenFest chair. “Join in the fun by either entering a container or voting for your favorites!”
All individuals who enter the contest will be entered into a drawing to win two tickets donated by Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours. Prizes will be awarded to those containers that garner the most votes.
The entry form for the container garden contest is here.
Garden talks
Several garden talks are on the schedule for Lewiston GardenFest.
11 a.m. Saturday
Sally Cunningham, a garden writer, educator and Certified Nursery and Landscape Professional (CNLP), will speak to “The Transformational Power of Gardening,” addressing four critical roles that gardens are playing in both urban and suburban neighborhoods. She will also answer audience questions on home landscapes and gardens.
2 p.m. Saturday
David Clark, CNLP, a nationally recognized horticulture instructor and florist, will create floral arrangements using plant material available to Western New York gardeners. He’ll also answer your floral design, gardening and landscape questions.
2 p.m. Sunday
David O’Donnell from Eastern Monarch Butterfly Farm will present “Restoring the Depleting Monarch Butterfly Population to the WNY Region.” He will discuss gardening with native plants to attract butterflies and help you learn more about butterflies and planting sustainable native butterfly gardens.
Butterfly release
O’Donnell will officially open Lewiston GardenFest with a butterfly release on Saturday at 10 a.m. in Hennepin Park.
Garden walk
On both days, you can stroll through several private gardens of Lewiston residents on a free garden walk.
The gardens vary in size and style and are located both within walking distance and also a short drive from Center Street.
To celebrate the history of Lewiston Garden Club and explore what can be done to maximize a small garden space, several volunteers will create a pop-up garden at the Lewiston Museum on Plain Street.
Pick up a map highlighting the featured gardens at one of the hospitality booths during the event.
Other activities
Visit Hennepin Park at the corner of Fourth and Center Streets for even more garden-themed fun. Create your own piece of natural art with a “make and take” free fern print. Talk with representatives from the Hosta & Daylily Society and the Bonsai Society or have Cornell Cooperative Extension provide free soil sample analysis.
Lewiston GardenFest is free to attend with all proceeds used by the Lewiston Garden Club for civic beautification, scholarships and service.
