Snow won't stop Stratford Garden Festival from sprouting

Even a significant amount of snowfall won't stop the Stratford Garden Festival from sprouting.

The 19th edition of the spring- and plant-themed event, presented by the Lung Association of Ontario, starts Thursday at the Rotary Complex and continues through the weekend. Despite several centimetres of precipitation falling Wednesday Janeen Collins-Dera, the lung association's community engagement co-ordinator for this region, said about 70 per cent of the gardens were already in place.

"It's all coming together beautifully," she said from the Rotary Complex with various vendors busy setting up in the background.

Tracy Brennan, the organization's manager of community engagement for this area, said the event serves as a reminder that "spring is just around the corner." The pair pointed out the festival appeals to gardening enthusiasts while also showcasing local talent.

"This is a very creative community and it's a chance for our landscapers to take a lead and work collaboratively together to create this festival," Brennan said. "We've got a wonderful array of gardening experts."

She added it offers a chance to glean some tips in a no-pressure environment.

"You get to dream a little bit," she said.

A long list of featured speakers is headlined by Mark Cullen and son Ben, who will be taking control of the podium Friday and Saturday at 12:30 p.m., respectively. They will both be speaking on their latest book Escape to Reality: How the World is Changing Gardening, and Gardening is Changing the World. Local speakers such as Jim Fitzgerald and Marty Klomp are also part of the 20-plus person lineup.

The event kicks off at noon Thursday and runs until 5 p.m. punctuated with an afternoon seniors' tea.

"A beloved community event," Brennan said. "When they come in and pay their admission they get a free coffee and a little biscuit."

It continues 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both Friday and Saturday and concludes 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

As for the lung aspect, Brennan said one in five Canadians have lung disease.

"And five out of five of us need to breathe," she said.

This local event has raised over $1 million for research and programs since its inception.

"It's pretty amazing," she said.

Local lung health support and exercise groups will be launched soon, Brennan said.

This year's theme is urban agriculture and small space gardening. Admission is $10 while children under age 12 get in free.