By Quincy Kirn and Lydia McAllister
On the first weekend of April, the Milton campus at Pensacola State College held its annual flower festival. With the help of the University of Florida and the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, the area was filled with all kinds of plant nurseries, tents with information about conservation, woodworkers, painters, live music, food trucks, and much more. This free event welcomed anyone with a green thumb to check out and purchase from the biggest botanical collection in the area. It has been drawing in plant enthusiasts for over 20 years. This year, the money raised from the festival will be put toward scholarships and other student needs.
When walking to the entrance, the sweet scent of pollen filled the air, and I could hear “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” being played on a ukulele. Bubbles floated by as I walked past the array of food trucks lined up – ice cream cones, turkey legs, and shaved ice just waiting to be purchased by the hundreds of attendees.
Among the many plant vendors was The Plumeria Patch, a local nursery and gardening store. The owner and her husband celebrated their third year at the festival, stating that the large crowds and publicity were enough to keep them returning throughout the foreseeable future. Regarding what sparked her interest in gardening in the first place, she revealed, “The joy brought on by watching a plant grow is unmatched. There’s just nothing like connecting with nature.” The couple spoke briefly about the challenges of gardening, and when questioned about their favorite plant, the husband and co-owner of The Plumeria Patch responded quickly with, “The desert rose, because it can thrive in harsh conditions yet is still so beautiful.”
While beauty is important for these business owners, over at the Old Fannie Farms booth, they prioritize plants that are grown for human consumption like fruits and vegetables. Although all the vendors are connected through their love of gardening, the reasons they dedicate so much time to this craft differ.
This festival was visibly well established within the community as plant lovers moved through the foliage, food trucks, and wagons waiting to be filled with a supply of greenery to take home to their gardens. As wonderful as the festival is for gardeners, the festival also hosted a variety of houseplants and succulents for those who are just looking to add some new life to a windowsill.
Two attendees, Lauren and Isabelle, volunteered to help set up the festival the day before its opening. Lauren expressed satisfaction in finding many different types of mint plants that are great for loose-leaf herbal teas and other edible plants and herbs. Many patrons had a specific addition to their garden, yard, or house in their mind already, but all enjoyed wandering through the rows of flora and taking the opportunity to stop and smell the roses.