News

June 8th - Fairy Garden Contest at the Farmers Market

FAIRY GARDEN CONTEST AT THE HALIFAX FARMER’S MARKET

By Irene Dunn

The Southside Master Gardener Association will hold a Fairy Garden Contest on Saturday, June 8, 2019 at the Halifax Farmer’s Market starting at 8 a.m. This contest is free to the public and prizes and ribbons will be awarded. A miniature container garden may be submitted by an individual of any age. There is no size limit, but the gardens must be able to be carried to the display tables. Please bring your gardens between 8 and 9:45 a.m.

Fairy Gardening has been around for hundreds of years. It first debuted in the US in 1893 at the Chicago World’s Fair, where the Japanese Pavilion displayed bonsai dish gardens. It has become more popular in recent years. A miniature garden is where you can use your imagination to create a year-round tiny space to tend to and lure fairies where they feel at home and bring luck and happiness. This is a great, fun project for children to get involved in gardening, learn respect for growing things and making memories. Adults and kids alike will love to plan, pick out plants, play in the dirt, construct tiny items and learn how to maintain their fairy garden.

The garden can be placed inside or outside in living spaces or the garden. It is a great advantage that you can build a fairy garden inside regardless of the weather. Any type of container with a drainage hole can be used. It can be inexpensive by collecting things such as pebbles, rocks, moss, twigs, bark, leaves, fabric, string, small toys, popsicle sticks or items made out of clay. These can be used to make fairy houses, paths, arbors, seats, swings, and ponds etc. There are many ideas and inspirations on-line and stores where you can also buy fairies, gnomes and accessories to make your garden magical.

The Fairy Gardens will be judged by two separate panels of independent judges: one for youth 16 and under and one for adults 17 and over. The judging will be based on the Fairy Garden’s overall design, creativity, imaginative use of live plant material (must have at least 2 live plants) and other components used. NO artificial plants or live animals can be used. Judges will determine the first and second place winners for the adult division. Youth division winners will be awarded ribbons. Visitors may vote for one entry for the People’s Choice category between 10 and 11 a.m. Winners will be announced around 11:15 a.m. and receive their prizes and ribbons.

During judging you will be able to enjoy all the market has to offer, fresh produce, organic meats and eggs, homemade breads and sweets and lots of arts and crafts. The Halifax Farmer’s Market is located at 209 S Main St, Halifax. Entry forms and rules may be picked up at the Halifax Extension Office, 171 S Main St, Halifax, Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or at the market during regular market hours. For more information, visit www.ssmga.org or call the Halifax Extension Office at 434-476-2147 option 0. Please put the Fairy Garden Contest on your list of the most fun things to do this summer.

Caption for picture

This beautiful landscape would make any Fairy happy. Garden made by People’s Choice winner Lacy Owen.  Bring your fairy garden to the Halifax Farmers Market on June 8^th between 8 and 9:45 a.m.

Community Development Open House - May 29th

Scavenger Hunt for the Kids at Farmers Market April 15th

Sign Up Now for Spring Clean Up Scheduled May 17th & 18th

Public Service Announcement:

The Town of Halifax Solid Waste Department will conduct its annual free spring clean-up for town residents and businesses by appointment only on Friday, May 17^th and Saturday, May 18^th. This service will be subject to the following conditions:

• Residents and businesses are required to call the Halifax Town Hall (434-476-2343) for notification to remove discarded household/business items and yard debris too large for regular trash pick-up and must give their name, telephone number and physical address (notification for sign-up must be made prior to 12:00 noon on Wednesday, May 15^th).
• Only household/business items that can be lifted by two grown men will be accepted, and no caustic solvents, toxic or hazardous materials or petroleum based liquids will be permitted.
• Tree limbs and brush must be cut in lengths no greater than 4 feet and neatly piled by participant along with qualifying household/business items near the curbside of the property or customary pick up site to be easily visible and accessible from the road by Town Solid Waste personnel.
• Town employees will not be responsible for cutting or removing tree trunks or tree limbs with a diameter of 4 inches or greater.
• The Solid Waste Supervisor will not be required to remove the qualifying material mentioned above if resident or business owner has failed to notify the Halifax Town Hall to schedule a pick-up.