Juneau garden fans turn out for cornucopia of flowers, vegetables
Juneau turned out on Aug. 23 to celebrate the annual Harvest Fair held at the Juneau Community Garden (JCG).
Celebrants viewed vegetable and flower exhibits; dined on fresh corn, homemade chowder and garden salads; shopped at the farmer's market; and toured the community garden; while kids painted faces and flower pots and organized a pick-up soccer game - a great time for all.
All Juneau gardeners were invited to exhibit their vegetables, flowers, preserves and garden photographs. Judges Ed Buyarski, Larry Buzzell, Jim Douglas, Larry Hurlock, Joan Kasson, Vivian Meyers, Jane Preston, Marion Simpson and Robert Tonkin faced tough decisions and often resorted to taste testing to determine winners. Congratulations to the fair grand champion, Suzanne Williams, for her stunning harvest basket, and to division winners Joe Orsi, Judy Macnak, Deb Rudis, Nancy Lehnhart, Jean Rataj and Margie Thomson. Jackson Lehnhart, Taylor Lehnhart, Annika Pearson and Krista Thomson brought home youth-division honors. JCG President Alan Davis, who has devoted much energy to this successful season at the community garden, fittingly presented the awards to the grand champion and division winners.
Generous support from Western Auto, Don Abel's Building Supply, Glacier Gardens, Landscape Alaska, Ed's Edible Landscaping, Valley Lumber, Good/True Value Hardware, Super Bear, Fred Meyer, Safeway/Carrs, Auke Bay Gardens, Heritage Coffee and Chilkat Cone Kitchen provided prizes for exhibit winners and door prizes. Juneau Redi-Mix provided services and Pearson Associates donated bottled water.
The volunteered talents and energy of Juneau Community Garden members ensured the success of this multi-faceted event. The Juneau Community Garden Association promotes gardening by providing garden plots (rental is $30 per year), soil enhancements, tools, water and educational events at its Montana Creek location.