Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1467380
WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM MAY 11 - MAY 17, 2022 UCW 13 It's springtime in the Sandhills. e local flora is alive with color, and it's a perfect time to grow something beau- tiful. For those born without a green thumb — not to worry; the Cape Fear Botanical Garden is here to help. e second annual Gardenmania event returns to the Cape Fear Botani- cal Garden on Saturday, May 14, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19 concerns, Gardenmania made its debut in the spring of 2021 with great success. is year promises to be "big- ger and better," said Meghan Wool- bright, marketing director at Cape Fear Botanical Garden. Fayetteville is a city that shows a lot of love for its local musicians, artisans and makers of all kinds. Gardenmania brings the same exciting energy to a skill set that's perhaps not celebrated enough. "Our Director of Events and Market- ing, Sheila Hanrick, wanted to create a signature event that would give a festival-type atmosphere celebrating all things gardening; thus, Gardenma- nia was born. Anyone interested in learning more about gardening, art, birds and sustainable living will have a blast!" Woolbright told Up & Coming Weekly. Designed as a garden symposium, participants can look forward to a slew of activities that both enrich and edu- cate throughout the day. From those who feel right at home in their flower beds to those who aren't sure how to get started, Gardenmania has a wealth of knowledge to sow. Gardenmania will have several presentations and workshops to entice advanced and novice gardeners alike. Participants can sign up for camellia pruning demonstrations, berry gar- dening, make/take herb garden, DIY bird feeder and create/take sculpted daylily canvas, to name a few. Woolbright is especially excited for this year's keynote speaker, Bryce Lane. Lane is a professor of horticul- ture at North Carolina State University and the former host of the Emmy Award-winning show "In the Garden with Bryce Lane." Professor Lane will be leading a special workshop on con- tainer gardening for those who sign up. One lucky garden visitor will win his creation in a raffle. In addition, Amber Williams, park ranger supervisor at Lake Rim Park, will be leading a table talk about bird watching. Guests wishing to attend workshops like "Build Your Own Bird Feeder," "Make and Take Your Own Herb Garden" or "Daylily Canvas Painting" will need to select "add-on" when pre- purchasing tickets on Eventbrite. For those simply wanting to enjoy a lovely day outside, Gardenmania is ripe with things to do. New this year, the Cape Fear Botanical Garden will have a plant sale, and Sustainable Sandhill's Farmer's Market will be in attendance with locally made crafts and produce. Gardenmania is a family-friendly event, and there will be plenty of ac- tivities to keep the kiddos entertained. Pond dipping, a scavenger hunt, a seed table and farm animals provided by Sweet Valley Ranch ensure a variety of fun for all ages in attendance. No day of education, entertainment and fellowship would be complete without good food. Gardenmania will have local fares such as e Walking Crab Food Truck, Hollywood Java, Lady and the Frank and Tropical Sno on-site to assist in that aim. Several vendors will also have food and drinks to sell. While fun and camaraderie are a priority on May 14, Woolbright expressed her passion for the value of this event to the community and its long-term benefits to those in atten- dance. "Gardenmania is about educa- tional opportunities, social interaction and an awareness of gardening and sustainability. Gardening teaches a person reliability, self-confidence, curiosity, teamwork, patience and so much more. ese are all important traits that all people must have to be successful. Being able to experience growing from seed to harvest is a memory that will last a lifetime." Founded in 1989, Cape Fear Botani- cal Garden has been an "urban oasis" within the hustle and bustle of down- town Fayetteville. Popular among tourists and locals alike, the Cape Fear Botanical Garden strives to evoke a sense of wonder and a deep apprecia- tion for the beauty of nature. "Whether it's the chosen venue for your engagement, wedding, mater- nity photoshoot, baby shower or your child's first birthday party, Cape Fear Botanical Garden is where memories are created," said Woolbright. Gardenmania, and events like it, speak to Cape Fear Botanical Garden's desire to not only educate their guests but inspire them as well. "At the end of the day, I hope people feel encouraged and excited to learn more about gardening through the activities and workshops we offered," said Woolbright. "I hope visitors find gardening to be a new hobby that relieves their mind, body and soul. I also want there to be an anticipation for the next Gardenmania!" "ere's always something bloom- ing here at Cape Fear Botanical Garden, twelve months out of the year. Whether it be our camellias in winter, the tulips in spring, sunflowers in summer, or the ginger lilies in the fall." e Cape Fear Botanical Garden's homepage boldly proclaims, "Nature is the Poetry of Earth." With events like Gardenmania and their continued role as an educational resource, Cape Fear Botanical Garden ensures earth's poetry is heard. Gardenmania is free for members. $10 for non-members. Non-member children's tickets for ages 6-12 are $5. All children under five are free. When pre-purchasing tickets, workshops require an "add-on" before checkout. Tickets can be purchased at www. eventbrite.com/e/2022-gardenmania- tickets-328357113967?aff=ebdssbdes tsearch. Cape Fear Botanical Garden is located at 536 N Eastern Blvd. Gardenmania offers guest presentations, classes and workshops for participants. The family friendly event will have a variety of activities for all ages. (Photos courtesy Cape Fear Botanical Garden) Gardenmania is back with fun for everyone by ASHLEY SHIRLEY EVENT ASHLEY SHIRLEY, Staff Writer. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomin- gweekly.com 910-484-6200.