Now in its tenth year, the spring event has become the largest herb festival in the Southeast, attracting 20,000 visitors in 1998. Over 50 herb businesses participated in last year's festival with more expected in1999. This festival is unique as all vendors are herb businesses marketing just herbs, herb plants, and herbal products. The reputation of the festival has grown as both an enjoyable and educational gathering of herb enthusiasts. Festival visitors report "it's a great time to get ready for the herb season and to purchase creative herbal gifts", states Mike Ferguson, Market Manager.
This annual event, welcoming spring to the mountains, is sponsored by the North Carolina Herb Association in cooperation with the Western North Carolina Farmers Market which is operated by the NC Department ofAgriculture.
The festival has the largest selection and a wide variety of herb plants, fresh and dried herbs, crafted herb items, herbal baked goods, dried flowers, decorations, soap, books, teas, vinegars, wreaths, herbs for pets, and items for the herb garden. "We have the best selection of herbs anywhere", reports Festival Coordinator Rick Morgan.
A new attraction is the Herb Display Garden "planted" at the market to demonstrate the beauty ofherbs in the garden. The Garden has proven to be a popular feature for visitors to view herb plants in a professionally landscaped garden setting. "Everyone enjoys the Herb Display Garden for it helps them see how herb plants will look full grown and flowering in their own garden", says Morgan. All plants on display are available from a number of festival businesses.
A food booth featuring herbal luncheon specialities is catered by a local gourmet restaurant. In addition a number of vendors will be selling herbal baked goods that are usually consumed as people stroll around the festival and through the Garden.
Special education programs about herbs will be presented from 10:00am to 3:00pm on Friday and Saturday and from noon to 2:00pm on Sunday by knowledgeable herbalists representing the North Carolina Herb Association. Education Programs will feature talks on a variety of subjects including Growing and Using Herbs and Herbs for Your Health.
The Herb Information Booth will be operated by Master Gardeners and Extension Service Specialists to answer questions about planting and growing herbs. A large selection of herb books and information will be available from many herb businesses. An educational "plant walk" at noon is becoming; a popular learning experience for festival visitors.
Today there is a growing interest in medicinal herbs in the region and a number of herbalists will be at the festival discussing the health benefits ofherbs and marketing medicinal plants, tinctures, as well as some traditional mountain remedies. In addition several vendors will be selling a variety of medicinal herb plants, such as ginseng, goldenseal and purple coneflower.
There are no admission charges or program fees and ample parking is available at the WNC Farmers Market. The state-owned Market is a 36 acre "roadside stand" featuring fresh fruits, vegetables, and plants. It is located near the intersection ofInterstates I-40 and I-26, adjacent to the Biltmore Estate. The Spring Herb Festival is the largest event held at any of the Farmers Markets in North Carolina and 10th Anniversary Festival will the best ever!
More PhotosDate created: 1/11/99
Last modified: 2/7/99
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