25th Annual Geraniumfest Is This Saturday

The following is an announcement from Townscape:

Townscape, Lynnfield’s tree planting non profit org, invites you to the GeraniumFest country fair on the Lynnfield Common  on Sat. May 19th 9am-3pm, rain or shine. Coffee and donuts  will be served in the morning for pick up of pre-ordered geraniums at ye olde 1714 Meeting House on the Lynnfield Common. Thousands of geraniums to choose from in 4 ½ “ pots and large hanging plants.  Color choices come in six colors: red, white, light pink, salmon, coral pink, and magenta . Hanging plants will also be for sale along with kids’ games, arts/crafts tables and many stations to visit around the Common.

Geranium Pre Order Forms are the main fundraiser, ORDER NOW as Deadline is May 5th/ weekend.  Pre order forms are at the Town Library info desk, Town Hall and Animal Hospital of Lynnfield (at exit 41 off 128/95)or go on line at www.TownscapeLynnfield.webs.com Please send completed pre order forms with your donations payable to Townscape Tree planting to PO Box 172, Lynnfield MA 01940.

 GeraniumFest  is free and open to all ages, you do not have to be a Lynnfield resident. Free parking is available at the Lynnfield Middle School and behind the shops downtown and behind the Centre Congregational Church.  Proceeds go to trees planted in Lynnfield area main thoroughfares.  

New this year in honor of the 25th annual year- Tennessee Style Barbecue lunch fare hosted by C & D BBQ,  look for the Rain Barrel project, a 10 a.m. tour of the garden grown with rain collection will be held at St. Paul’s Church next to the Fire Station on Summer Street. Also check out other ‘stations’ open at Lynnfield Common as part of the GeraniumFest: Centre Church will host a freeLynnfield Art Guild Art Show 10-3, and there will be a silent auction for the ‘Mega Geranium’ six color pot at the doorway there and Flea Market tables in front of the church; Lynnfield Library will hold its semi annual book sale; Lynnfield Historical House will be open to the public and give out Preservation Awards. Also a tree trolley tour hosted by Kendall Inglese will start at 10 a.m. and go thru 1:30 p.m. leaving on the half hour sponsored by the generous  Lynnfield Rotary Club.  Georgie’s Ice Cream, a generous Townscape donor, will serve dessert second half of the day.

At 11 am special Arbor Day ceremonies will take place with the Town Tree Committee. Arbor Day activities promise to be very fun this year with a treasure hunt using leaf clues as part of the Geraniumfest. In the plans are also a pet parade at 1pm (must be on leash) with prizes and live musical entertainment in the afternoon.

Pink ribbons will appear on Townscape trees the month of May to highlight plantings, new and old. A silver ribbon will be placed on the late Townscape President Donald Harriss’s trees on the common including the  American Liberty Elm tree he was well known for planting in this area.

Townscape is a 501c 3 nonprofit org and also funds the third grade arbor day plantings at the schools. We have planted and cared for over 800 shade trees to maturity along byways, with a vast majority of trees cared for by our High School volunteers.  We celebrate the seasons with only two events a year: May’s GeraniumFest and November’s Annual Potluck Dinner at the 1714 oak Meeting House. Townscape works hand in hand with Lynnfield’s Town Tree Committee and Denis Roy and Dept of Public Works to choose the best locations for trees. Support us so we can continue this great effort into the next quarter century! Pre order your geraniums, attend the GeraniumFest or donate today!

To be part of the Flea Market at the Centre Congregational Church the day of GeraniumFest (May 19) tables are avail first come first serve for $35 for 8' table with 2 chairs, $30 if you bring your own, will move inside if in-climate weather. Call Dottie at 781-635-6225 by May 11.

For info on the rain or shine May 19 GeraniumFest including last minute flower pre orders email TownscapeLynnfield@gmail.com

Editor's Note: For a photo gallery from the 2011 Geraniumfest, .