Keyport GardenWalk Goes Virtual this June
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TheJournalNJ.com | MAY 2020 45
JOURNAL The
Publications
BY LORI DRAZ
In last month’s Historic Havens column, readers took a tour of some
of Keyport’s historic homes that included gardens featured on the
Keyport GardenWalk, initially scheduled for June.
Well those homes haven’t gone anywhere and neither have the
gardens, but the GardenWalk has gone virtual this year, in compliance
with current physical distancing regulations.
The Virtual Keyport GardenWalk is still free, and you won’t have
to worry about the weather. Additionally, the daily GardenTalks will
also be streamed. On Saturday, June 6, it’s “The Herb Lady” Caren
White, and on Sunday, June 7 garden writer and historian Lesley Parness
will present “Josephine, the Empress Gardener.”
On the Virtual Keyport GardenWalk, you can take pre-recorded
tours of perennial gardens, eclectic mixed gardens, historic gardens,
environmentally beneficial rain gardens along Keyport’s magnificent
waterfront and more, led by the loving gardeners who created and
care for them.
Since the first Keyport GardenWalk in 2012, the weekend has
become a top tourist event, attracting thousands to the historic borough
of Keyport, as well as to the local businesses and restaurants.
When physical distancing policies are lifted, the garden club hopes to
host “GardenWalk LIVE” so you can again be welcomed to this wonderful
Bayshore town.
A special bonus of the Keyport GardenWalk are free seed packets
the group hands out. Since the event was canceled, the seed packets
are being made available in local restaurant takeout bags and in “Little
Libraries” around town.
Another feature of the GardenWalk is the annual art contest. This
year, the KGW Art Contest Committee gratefully received 22 beautiful,
inspiring entries. After much deliberation, the judges have selected
“Waiting in the Wings II,” the exquisite encaustic mixed media piece
by Chelsea Villegas to be the face of Keyport GardenWalk 2020.
“Waiting in the Wings II” and 11 other art pieces will be featured
in notecards, which will be offered at locations and events later this
year.
Finally, the group has modified its popular Mother’s Day Plant
Sale to utilize prepaid ordering and practice physical distancing. The
popular sale is traditionally held the day before Mother’s Day, and offers
a wide range of quality perennials, hanging baskets, herbs, vegetables
and plant
gifts. The club is
working to ensure
there will be something
for everyone
at the Summer
Plant Pre-Sale, and
the items will be
available to pick
up before Mother’s
Day.
The Keyport
GardenWalk is one
of many endeavors
of the Keyport
Garden Club, a notfor
profit 501(c)3
organization. Its mission is to encourage civic pride and enhance the natural
beauty of Keyport’s neighborhoods, public spaces and highway corridors
through volunteerism, education and partnerships using environmentally
sound horticultural practices. To learn more, order plants and follow the virtual
event, visit KeyportGardenClub.com.
“Waiting in the Wings II” by Chelsea Villegas
/TheJournalNJ.com
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