Sunday, Sept. 2, the Sunshine Coast Botanical Garden holds its fourth annual Harvest Festival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Sechelt.
This last blast of summer features live music by Brothers in Farms and loads of family activities. In the vegetable garden you'll see everything from artichoke to zucchini, find master gardeners to answer your questions, plus sip some fresh herb teas. Children won't soon forget the thrill of harvesting and tasting straight from a living vegetable plant.
The bake sale is always a popular stop, as is the Sechelt Rotary's grill.
Youngsters (and the young-at-heart) can make and take home crafts, try monster croquet, the giant "art attack" and more fun and games. The plant sale is back, plus a chance to buy organically grown garlic bulbs. This year's fun contest involves an ancient weed folks love to hate.
New this year is the bee demonstration and information about bats. Families who took part in the preschool gardeners' program can check on the peas and nasturtiums they planted in July. Sharon Hannah, author of All Things Kale, will share growing and cooking tips for kale, the hottest veggie for nutrition and flavour.
While there, tour the entire Botanical Garden. See the clever designs for raised beds in the seniors' garden and check out the progress of the native plant garden. Bring your camera, your sunscreen, your friends and family, and get ready for smiles and giggles.
Admission is by donation (suggested $5/adult; $2/child). Please pay what you can to support the Botanical Garden, located at 5941 Mason Road in Sechelt. Entrance is at gate four. Carpooling is recommended, and there's a bus stop nearby.
Sunshine Coast Credit Union's sponsorship of the Botanical Garden supports the Harvest Festival and has enabled the Garden to stay open to visitors seven days a week this summer. Come to the Harvest Festival Sept. 2 to find out why you'll want to make the Garden a regular stop in all seasons.
For more information, see www.coastbotanicalgarden.org.
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