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Master Gardeners say annual fair draws thousands and funds Clackamas Community College horticulture scholarships
Summary
Organizers described their annual fundraiser as staffed by more than 200 volunteers and hosting over 140 vendors this year, with proceeds supporting Master Gardener projects and scholarships for the horticulture department at Clackamas Community College.
A Master Gardener said the group's annual fair is run as a fundraiser that supports the projects the Master Gardeners manage and contributes scholarships to the horticulture department at Clackamas Community College. "We are master gardeners obviously and we put on the fair as a fundraiser," the organizer said.
Organizers said the fair relied on more than 200 volunteers and drew a large crowd: "Normally, we get about 8,000 people," a Master Gardener said, describing typical weekend attendance. They reported more than 140 vendors this year and later cited a specific count of 147 vendors.
The fair charges vendors for booth space, organizers said, while vendors keep revenue from sales. "I've had vendors tell me they make as much this weekend as they do the whole rest of the year," a vendor said, describing the event as an important sales weekend for exhibitors.
Many vendors have long ties to the event, organizers added. "Many of our vendors have been with us for well over 25 years," a Master Gardener said, noting that Chuck Bowen of Cherryville Enterprises received a 25-year ribbon this year.
Vendors described the fair as a valuable place for direct customer feedback and product display. One vendor listed items sold at the event, including garden signs, scarecrows and garden bells that help draw visitors to booths. An attendee described the atmosphere as "very relaxed and very welcoming," saying friendliness and bustle were key parts of the event's appeal.
Organizers emphasized the convenience for shoppers. "You don't have to spend your whole weekend driving from nursery to nursery," a Master Gardener said, adding that the fair offers a wide selection of plants, garden art and supplies in a single location.
The fair's proceeds were described as supporting both Master Gardener projects and donations to schools; organizers specifically mentioned scholarships directed to Clackamas Community College's horticulture program. The organizers did not provide a detailed financial breakdown of proceeds or exact scholarship amounts during the remarks.
The fair continues to serve as both a community gathering and a fundraising platform for Master Gardener activities and local horticulture education.
