Summer Celebration draws hundreds despite rain

JACKSON, Tenn. — People across the state traveled to Jackson on Thursday for the annual Summer Celebration Lawn and Garden Show.

Mary Peterson, a shopper, drove from Hardeman County to look and learn. “I know nothing about plants, but I wanted to come see,” she said.

The event, held at the West Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center, includes tours of the gardens, educational talks and a plant sale. “You can come in here and look and see what plants work in our area,” Master Gardener Darlene Tanner said.

The Summer Celebration typically draws thousands of gardeners from across the state. Gloria Sparks traveled from Memphis. “We come every year because we love to show and look at all the exhibits and listen to the speakers,” Sparks said.

This year’s theme is The Garden of Eatin’. Experts showed growers how to incorporate edible plants in with ornamentals. “We always love to watch them cook, and we do herbs at home,” Amelia McCarver, a gardener, said. “We have basil that we grow.”

McCarver waited in line with her granddaughter to see a cooking demonstration. “We save the recipes from year to year,” she said.

Heavy rain showered shoppers at the plant sale, but the weather did not deter some gardeners. “They are very healthy and they just have everything,” Peterson said.

Proceeds from the plant sale go to Master Gardener projects.

Thursday’s event also included free disease management screening, local vendors and food.