You can’t buy happiness,
but you can buy
plants
and that’s pretty much
the same thing!
First Parish Plant & Craft Fair
10 am ~ 3 pm Bedford Common
Saturday, May 20, 2023
Rain or shine!
We will be prepared to accept cash, checks, or credit cards.
Important Links
Do you want to be a vendor at the Fair? Sign up here:
Vendor signup
Do you want to donate plants? Sign up here:
Plant donation sign-up
Do you want to donate your time? Sign up here:
Volunteer sign-up
Watch a short video produced by Bedford TV about the plant fair.
Questions? Please contact Bea Brunkhorst at beabrunkhorst@gmail.com.
A History of the First Parish Plant Fair
The First Parish Plant Fair’s long-time tradition began in the side yard of the Fitch Tavern—about 70 years ago. The Joslins lived there, and were members of First Parish. Avid gardeners, they and their fellow members and friends thought it would be a lovely idea to share their plants. It was such a good idea, it eventually outgrew the side yard, and moved across the street to the Town Common.
Betty Balfour and Eva Schafer were also among the earliest gardeners launching the Fair in 1953. In recent years before the pandemic, their children, Jean Balfour and Marty Schafer (and his wife Jan Sacks) along with Wendell Smith, Janet Powers and others have sustained the fair, helping to be sure that heritage perennials were dug up and potted as well as advising on nursery-grown annuals, seedlings, herbs and shrubs. Although Jean has moved and will be supporting the Plant Fair from a distance, we expect contributions from the gardens of Marty, Jan and others.
That’s where it will be again this year—after a hiatus of 3 years, it is returning as not only a Plant Fair with knowledgeable people available for advice about your plants or garden, but a Craft Fair with a good number of vendors—including local folks. Children will enjoy the day as well, with Chip-In Farm sharing farm animals to pet and touch. Crafts and other children’s activities will also be available!
Jersey Mike’s and others will be there to supply sustenance!
Proceeds from the plant and craft sale will support the work of The First Parish in Bedford, Unitarian Universalist. In addition to other programs, First Parish supports local initiatives including Bedford Community Table and the weekly Food Bank; Bedford Embraces Diversity; the Annual Tenacity Challenge at the Bedford High School; and the Bedford Family Connection.