9th Annual Garden Party

 

THIS Saturday, March 24th

9am – 3pm

at Community Forklift

 Our Annual Garden Party is a fun-filled event with a ton of landscaping and garden supplies; gardening demonstrations, experts, and vendors; activities for kids; live bands; and local food. Prizes will be awarded to well-dressed people & pets in garden party finery.

The party starts with our highly anticipated tool sale…

Throughout the winter, we collect gently-used and surplus lawn & garden supplies as well as outdoor décor and furniture. Then, we put it all out for your shopping pleasure!

We begin selling garden tools & supplies at 9am, however we know this Saturday is extremely busy with important events. Planning for our annual fundraiser begins months in advance and involves many partners and volunteers, so unfortunately we were not able to move it by the time the March for Our Lives was confirmed. We know many gardeners are disappointed, so keep in mind we will be putting more supplies out throughout the day – and anything not sold before we close at 6pm will be available on Sunday while supplies last.

It’s like Black Friday for gardeners!

The Garden Sale is the Forklift’s biggest fundraiser each year. Proceeds support our work to create green jobs, reduce waste, educate the public about reuse, and provide free supplies to nonprofits and neighbors in need.

Note to early birds:  No lawn and garden supplies are out yet.  The Forklift will not have any garden items available until 9am on March 24. 

The party starts when the gates open at 9am!

There will be gift certificates and prizes for adults, kids, and (friendly, leashed) pets dressed in garden party finery.

Photo by Carrie Delesky

So find yourself a dapper suit or fancy hat, and check out all the activities in store:

 

Local Experts and Teachers

Anacostia Watershed Society
Maryland House & Garden Pilgrimage
MOM’s Organic Market
Prince George’s County Master Gardener Program
Veteran Compost

Vendors

ECO City Farms will be here with seedlings, already sprouted and ready to go right into your garden.
Elements of Nature will be selling home-crafted teas and houseplants.
The Colmar Manor Garden Club will be selling an additional variety of seedlings.
Hyattsville Horticulture Society will be selling vegetable, flower, and herb seeds, along with some helpful gardening books and used garden equipment.
Capitol Hill Art League will be here with a gallery of their garden-themed artwork.
Maryland Home & Garden Pilgrimage will be selling tickets to their April & May tours of architecturally significant homes around the state. It’s a real treat if you love beautiful old houses & historic gardens!  

Photo by Carrie Delesky

 

Activities for All Ages

Make & Take Crafting– Visit the Anacostia Watershed Society’s table for a unique upcycling craft: Make your own paper out of invasive plants!
Strike a Pose– Stroll the salvaged carpet and pose in our selfie-photobooth.
Reuseosaur Scavenger Hunt– Kids can hunt down dinosaurs (with trivia answers) hidden in the warehouse to win prizes.
Face Painting– Rachel of Signs, Wonders and Gifts will turn your face into a work of art!
Strolling Magician– You won’t believe your eyes!

 

 

Live Music 

10am-11pm: Bellwether Bayou
Based in Washington, DC, Bellwether Bayou brings looping violin & soulful vocals together to create a modern take on classic folk sensibilities. Her sound mixes original tunes with unexpected covers & new spins on old traditionals.
12pm-1pm: The Vico Cycle
The Vico Cycle is a group of like-minded musicians based in the Washington, DC metro area who have come together to blend rock, funk, blues, soul, & hip-hop into a lively fusion of raw sound.
2pm-3pm: Oh He Dead
Oh He Dead is a smoky, folk-soul rock band from Washington, DC. Led by the stirringly passionate harmonies of Cynthia Johnson and Andrew Valenti, Oh He Dead mixes R&B influences with poignant lyrics to move both your soul and your feet.

 

 

Free Workshops

Click the titles to reserve your space!

10:30am-11:30am: TBA
12:30pm-1:30pm: Home Composting- Tips, Techniques, & Troubleshooting, presented by Fritz Gottschalk of Veteran Compost
2:30pm-3:30pm: Living a Naturally Healthy Life with Herbs and Houseplants, presented by Linda Jones of Elements of Nature

Weather Permitting: Outdoor Pallet Creations, presented by Matt Menke of Community Forklift and Gary Barnhart of GL Barnhart Construction

 

And delicious local food from County Manners!

County Manners is brought to you by Chef Jeremy; a true “County Boy” at heart with deep roots in Southern Maryland. His passion for food was built on cooking fresh caught fish over a campfire on the Potomac River. He created a unique concept by combining traditions passed on to him by family and his years of experience as chefs.  Brisket, pork, and shrimp are his most popular sandwiches (menu subject to change with the seasons), and he’ll also have a vegetarian option available.  “I look forward to bringing you the best of what Southern Maryland has to offer.”
  

So invite your friends, and start planning your stylish garden party ensemble!