Garden Festival sunny, bustling and fun

Scott Schilling, Janesville Shade Tree Advisory

Committee setting up

The sixth annual Garden Festival went off with nary a hitch. The weather was perfect, the entries to the pie contest were scrumptious, the grilled veggies were delish, one-man band Roger Crary was fabulous as he belted out one country and western classic after another in the gazebo, and the scarecrows entered into the contest were charming and delightful.

The organization of this family-friendly event was spearheaded by MGV Deb Grams, a dynamo of enthusiasm and commitment, who has given freely of her time and talents every year to make each successive Garden Festival a success. With the help of a small team of dedicated MGVs and a group of RECAPers, tents were erected, decorations were placed strategically about the grounds, grills were fired up, green tomatoes sizzled, and everywhere you looked volunteers in kelly green tee-shirts bustled about. The event ran with a smoothness that comes from years of honing the process.

RPMGA wishes to thank Rotary Botanical Gardens for providing the venue, Mercy Health Systems for sponsoring the day so guests could have free access to the gardens, the RECAP team for volunteering to assist with the event. Special kudoes go out to the many MGVs who helped set up, hand out shirts, assist with parking control, pick tomatoes and peppers, stand over hot grills, haul trash, tear down. It was a well coordinated event that showed commitment, and talent. Thanks to everyone involved. It was a great day!

PHA master gardeners Barb Converse and Robby

Severson ready for questions.