Jenks Herb and Plant Festival

April 28 marks the Eleventh Annual Jenks Herb and Plant Festival.

By: Christy Means-Smith | Category: Other | Issue: April 2007

Mark your calendars to visit the Jenks Herb and Plant Festival on April 28 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Those who are familiar with Jenks know it not only for its numerous antique boutiques, but for its numerous events and festivals. Particularly lovely in the springtime, there is something to do in Jenks every month. April 28 marks the Eleventh Annual Jenks Herb and Plant Festival.

This year’s festival will include an abundance of a variety of plants, as well as booth hosts. Over 100 booths with knowledgeable, local growers will be on hand to explain the details of each plant, as well as how to take care of any greenery that customers take home. Several vendors that will be in attendance include Our Thyme Garden, Birdhouses by Mark, Chaos Cactus Nursery and Skyridge Farms. Plants of many different types will be offered to patrons at a fraction of their normal costs.

Demonstrations of how to use herbs and other plants will be held at the festival by the Jenks Garden Club, whose main goal is to educate the public. The Jenks Garden Club will be selling plants grown in the gardens of its members at its booth.

Several vendors will feature garden and patio decorations. Available for purchase will be water features, bird feeders, ornaments, personalized and generic signs and other items to add uniqueness to any outdoor plot. These vendors will also be handy to provide advice, ideas and consultations for novice gardeners.

Entertainment for both children and adults will carry on throughout the day of the festival. Children will enjoy activities provided by Jenks First Baptist Church, including a juniper jump, petting zoo, numerous games, clowns and a special appearance from the Jenks Fire Department. All are guaranteed to keep the young ones happy. Live music will include Dixieland Jazz performed by the Dixieland Dudes, local country singer Anna Massey and fiddler Jake Duncan, who will be joined by his father and other musical family members. Dancers will also hold the crowd’s interest, and a magician may be on hand to delight both kids and grown-ups. For more entertainment, check out the displays from the garden railroaders and their wonderful train, town and landscape.

Favorite festival fare such as corn dogs, hamburgers and funnel cakes will be available, as well as specialty vendors such as the Nut Lady. Rumor has it that the Greek Guys will also be stopping by to grill their favorite ethnic dishes, so bring your appetite! Leave room in your stomach or your arms to purchase homemade Amish food items; noodles, cakes, cookies and pies are a marvelous way to fully enjoy a meal.

Because the festival will begin early in the morning, patrons may pay a small fee for breakfast with the Kiwanis Club. Pancakes, sausages and gravy will help everyone fuel up and become energized for the day. It is suggested that visitors arrive as early as 6:30 a.m. to grab a good parking place, eat a hot breakfast and give the festival a thorough once-over before settling down for business.

Another enticement is the free Drop and Shop service. This is provided for shoppers who have accumulated an armload of products but still have several shopping hours left in them. Purchases can be brought to the Drop and Shop, where they will be carefully protected. Patrons are encouraged to take advantage of this service throughout the day.

The event will take place April 28 at 2nd and A Streets in Jenks. Open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., the festival will be a good time for everyone, from weathered gardeners to the least experienced horticulturists.

For more information about the Jenks Herb and Plant Festival, contact Mari Migliore at (918) 299-0007 or Kaye MacLaskey at (918) 227-1528. Check out the Jenks Garden Club’s website for additional information: www.jenksgardenclub.com.

For more information, contact