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Spring Festival Brings Community Together at VISTA Gardens

Writer: Abbey GallowayAbbey Galloway
3 days ago2 min read

Two Sickles High School National Honor Society students celebrate VISTA's Spring Festival with some face paint.
Two Sickles High School National Honor Society students celebrate VISTA's Spring Festival with some face paint.

Celebrating Community and Sustainability

On Saturday, March 8th, VISTA Gardens welcomed over 100 community members to its annual Spring Festival, marking the second major event of the 2024-25 growing season.


This festive gathering emphasized community building, sustainable gardening practices, and the joy of nature.




Engaging Activities and Interactive Learning

The festival offered a variety of educational and interactive experiences, made possible by our dedicated community partners:

  • The Little Red Wagon Native Nursery: Shared valuable insights on Florida native plants and conducted an engaging plant sale.

  • Suncoast Native Plant Society: Enthralled visitors with microscopic views of Florida’s native carnivorous plants.

  • Laica Worm Farms: Offered an interactive worm exploration, gifting young gardeners with their own gardening gloves.

  • Blue House Florals: Created a picturesque photo opportunity with a floral arch crafted from native wildflowers.

  • Shelbi Mullen: Provided face painting inspired by the vibrant garden environment, delighting both children and adults.


Additionally, participants enjoyed creating miniature fairy gardens and tasting fresh produce samples directly from our own garden beds.





Community Collaboration at Its Finest

The success of the festival relied heavily on the collective efforts of dedicated volunteers from:

  • VISTA Gardens

  • Learning Gate Community School

  • Sickles High School Honor Society


Their enthusiasm and commitment ensured that the festival was enjoyable and inspiring for attendees of all ages!
Their enthusiasm and commitment ensured that the festival was enjoyable and inspiring for attendees of all ages!


A few of VISTA's members gathered under the flower arch for a quick photo-op. Pictured (from left to right, top to bottom) are Rick J., Rolfe, Ruchi, Marty, Laurie, and Nicole J.
A few of VISTA's members gathered under the flower arch for a quick photo-op. Pictured (from left to right, top to bottom) are Rick J., Rolfe, Ruchi, Marty, Laurie, and Nicole J.

Special Thanks to Our Education Chair

A special acknowledgment goes to our Education Chair, Nicole Jagusztyn, whose outstanding leadership and meticulous planning made this event possible.


Nicole’s passion for education and sustainability was evident in every aspect of the festival.




Join Our Growing Community

Inspired by the festival, several attendees have joined VISTA Gardens for the upcoming growing season. If you’re interested in becoming part of our vibrant gardening community, stay connected through our upcoming events.


For a visual summary of the Spring Festival, explore the Tampa Beacon’s delightful photo essay.


We eagerly anticipate welcoming you back to future events as we continue cultivating community and sustainability together at VISTA Gardens!




Relive the Joyful Moments

Want to revisit the memories or catch a glimpse of the festivities you might have missed? Explore our full photo album from the Spring Festival! It's filled with wonderful snapshots capturing the smiles, activities, and community spirit from this special day.



We hope these images inspire you to join us again soon and continue celebrating community and sustainability at VISTA Gardens!


 
 
 

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