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N° 147 — April 26, 2023
Enjoy regular updates and insights from FONA, the U.S. National Arboretum, and our award-winning Washington Youth Garden.
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Important Details for the Garden Fair | |
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FONA's annual Garden Fair & Plant Sale is this Saturday, April 29th from 9 AM to 4 PM. Here are important details for Saturday's event (keep scrolling for plant lists, vendors, and activity details):
TIMING
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9 AM - 11 AM: Members-only hours for the Plant Sale. The Vendor Village and activities are open to the public at this time. Become a FONA member for early access to the Plant Sale.
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11 AM - 4 PM: Public hours for Plant Sale, open to all.
LOCATION
- Enter the Arboretum through either the New York Avenue entrance (3501 New York Avenue NE) or the R Street entrance (2400 R Street NE).
- The Garden Fair & Plant Sale is located by the Arboretum's Visitor Center, along Meadow Road, and in the Ellipse Meadow by the National Herb Garden (see map below).
- Please note, cars can only travel one-way down parts of Hickey Lane, Eagle Nest Road, and Azalea Road per the spring traffic plan.
PARKING & SHUTTLES
- Park in one of the main parking lots on the grounds: New York Avenue lot, R Street lot, Grove lot.
- Free shuttles will run between these three parking lots from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM to provide access to the event.
- We provide plant-sitting outside the Visitor Center, so you can leave your purchased plants while you enjoy the rest of the event, explore the Azalea Collections, or get your car so you don't have to take the plants on the shuttle.
REMINDERS
- There are no discounts on plants.
- Plan to pay with a credit or debit card for the Plant Sale (no cash sales).
- Dogs are not allowed in the FONA Plant Sale tent, but are allowed on leash in the Vendor Village. Bringing your dog is not recommended since the event can get very crowded.
- A limited number of shopping carts are available. Shopping carts must stay in the Plant Sale area.
- In the event of inclement weather, we will send an email with alternative arrangements.
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Register for the event on Eventbrite to receive any last-minute event updates.
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Click on the map to view in full screen. | |
What to Expect at the Garden Fair | |
There's a lot going on at Saturday's Garden Fair & Plant Sale. Here's what to expect from the event (see the map below for the event layout): | |
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PLANT SALE
Check out the list of plants our team of garden experts have ordered for this event. FONA members get first pick of these one-of-a-kind plants from 9 AM to 11 AM. Become a member to get early access. Plan to pay with a credit or debit card for the Plant Sale (no cash sales).
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VENDOR VILLAGE
Over 30 local gardening, home goods, food, and beverage vendors are bringing products specially picked for this event. Food trucks open at 10 AM. All other vendors are open from 9 AM to 4 PM. Here's who will be there:
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Gardening
Home Goods & Lifestyle
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FAMILY ACTIVITIES
10 AM - 2 PM: ARTboretum
ARTboretum is a free, family-friendly event celebrating the intersection between art and nature. This child-centered event is for children ages 2 to 12, and is offered by DC Child Care Connections. Pre-registration is requested, go here to register for ARTboretum.
11:30 AM & 12:30 PM: Story Time in the Meadow - Stories, Movement, and Motion
Join The Washington Ballet for a free story time and movement class that is designed to give young readers an enjoyable experience through literature and dance. Participants will engage in interactive creative movement class while exploring pantomime movements as they relate to a storybook. New time added at 12:30 PM — pre-register on Eventbrite.
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Bottom photo by Matthew Rakola | |
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ADULT ACTIVITIES
10 AM: PILATES IN THE MEADOW
Join The Washington Ballet for a free 60-minute outdoor pilates-based fitness class. This total body conditioning class is perfect for teens and adults of all ages and body types hoping to experience a revitalizing workout. Add your name to the waitlist on the Eventbrite registration page.
2 PM: DIY Terrarium Workshop
This workshop, offered by Cultivate the City, takes place in the Visitor Center Auditorium. This event costs $30 and includes all materials. Pre-registration is required — click here to register.
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Click on the map to view in full screen. | |
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Cheers with women-owned spirits! To celebrate planting season, our neighbors Republic Restoratives Distillery in Ivy City are offering 50% off distillery tours for the FONA community through May 28th. You can even attend a tour after visiting the Garden Fair on Saturday! Buy your tour ticket and use the code "FONA" at check out. All tours include a tasting of their spirits, walk through of the barrel room, and explanation of how spirits are made.
Republic Restoratives is women-owned, LGBTQ-led, and the largest crowdfunded distillery in U.S. history.
Get Your Tour Tickets Here >
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Thanks to Our Event Sponsors! | |
We are incredibly grateful to Bartlett Tree Experts and the Frank & Evelyn Schmidt Family Foundation for sponsoring this year's Garden Fair & Plant Sale. Their long-time support of this event helps it grow and reach more people every year.
A special thank you to our in-kind sponsors for donating plants and supplies to the Plant Sale: Adcock's Nursery, American Plant, Edelweiss Perennials, Far Reaches Farm Nursery, Foxborough Nursery, JC Raulston Arboretum, Terry Macfarlane, Manor View Farm, Monrovia Plants, Piedmont Carolina Nursery, Pleasant Run Nursery, Rare Tree Nursery, Barbara Shea, Youngblood Nursery.
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The Arboretum is open every day from 8 AM to 5 PM except December 25th.
There is a temporary traffic plan in effect until mid-May that impacts traffic flow and parking throughout the grounds.
Check Our Website for Full Details >
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