Earth and Arts abound this Saturday

Published 9:53 pm Monday, April 22, 2019

Citizens can enjoy everything their city has to offer at the third annual Suffolk Earth and Arts Festival on Saturday. The festival will be held rain or shine from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Westminster Reformed Presbyterian Church, 3488 Godwin Blvd.

There will be about 75 different vendors plus live music, kid-friendly activities, plant sales and tasty food in celebration of local artists, makers and growers, according to Michelle Clay, one of the festival planners.

“It’s a community-focused event to highlight the artists and people making things in Suffolk and people growing things in Suffolk,” Clay said. “It’s to highlight the natural beauty that we have.”

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Vendors will include woodworkers, candlemakers and soap makers. There will be textiles, jewelry, pottery and a wide range of works made by local artisans.

Get Stuffed, Taste of Asia, The Flying Pig, We are Nuts and Amici’s Pizza will be among the food trucks serving patrons. Harper Bradshaw of Harper’s Table will also be grilling, and Pourfavor will serve coffee and baked goods.

The live entertainment will be gospel music starting at 10 a.m., St. Julien’s Creek Revival at 11 a.m., Fox and the Bear at 12:30 p.m. and a live demonstration featuring the birds of Suffolk’s Altons’ Keep Wildbird Rescue and Rehabilitation Center at 3 p.m.

The Suffolk Master Gardeners will hold their annual plant sale at the festival, alongside other green-minded organizations like the Nansemond River Preservation Alliance and Keep Suffolk Beautiful. The Nansemond Indian Nation will also be present at the event.

Visitors will enjoy lawn games like cornhole, weather permitting. Children will have fun at the petting zoo and with kids’ activities at the Suffolk Public Library’s Library2Go mobile — plus plenty of face painting and cotton candy.

Suffolk Earth and Arts partners with local businesses and non-profits, artisans, makers and planters to encourage environmental best practices and promote the cultural growth of their city.

“(We’re) partnering with people who are active in the community and giving them a platform to reach the citizens of Suffolk,” Clay said. “Just to let them know that they can be involved, and to let them know that Suffolk is a fun place to live in.”

Visit suffolkearthandarts.com for more information.