After getting cancelled last year, the Bloomin’ Garden Show & Art Sale is back, although it looks a little different this year. The event, held on Saturday, May 8 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Alberta Avenue Community Centre, will be entirely outdoors due to the pandemic.

“Protocols such as separate entrances and exits will be implemented in addition to usual safety  measures so that vendors, attendees, volunteers, and staff stay safe,” assures Virginia Potkins, market coordinator for the event. “The market will be held rain or shine unless the weather is extremely severe. Moving indoors will not be an option this year. Grab and go concessions will be provided by Two Brown Dogs Bistro & Catering.”

Bloomin’ is the perfect occasion to expand your garden. “Since last year, COVID not only unleashed threats to health, but also to food security,” points out Potkins. The result has been a surging interest in gardening and growing your own vegetables. To reduce visits to grocery stores, people want to grow whatever they can, as well as impart that knowledge to their children. “The event is thus going to be very garden-focused this year with something for all age groups.”

The event will be held by the community centre on 118 Avenue and 93 Street. It will start in the parking lot and spill over into the garden area. People can find pedestrian and vehicle access from 93 Street and 92 Street respectively. There is ample parking space.

Admission is free. “Guests are not required to register in advance, but we are asking attendees to come with a ‘shop with purpose’ attitude so that many attendees can enjoy the market and support our vendors.” Potkins hopes to attract 20-30 vendors to the market selling yearly favourites, such as Delilah’s Seeds and Arnica Wildflowers, as well as some local, unique vendors.  Interested vendors who wish to participate can email Potkins at bloomin@albertaave.org. 

The compost sale will be held on May 8 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Since its start five years ago, the sale has enjoyed immense success. 

“Last year we sold 600 bags in two hours,” says Karen Mykietka, compost sale organizer for the event. “To ensure we have enough to fulfill all orders, compost pre-orders have to be made by May 2.” Orders to north central neighbourhoods will be delivered between May 2-8. One bag of composts costs $10, 3 bags go for $25, and 5 bags sell for $40.Compost, a decomposed organic material, is a great way to improve the fertility of your garden soil. Composting recycles organic materials usually regarded as waste. According to the Q&A on the league website, the NatureMadeTM compost sold at the event is made out of “food wastes, kitchen grease, wood waste, and other municipal/commercial organic waste etc.” by CleanIt GreenIt Composting Systems Ltd.

BLOOMIN’ GARDEN SHOW & ART SALE
ALBERTA AVENUE COMPOST SALE
Alberta Ave Community Centre
9210 118 Ave
May 8, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. 
bloomin@albertaave.org
albertaave.org/bloomin-garden.html