Alpacas, Vendors Return To River Farm's Spring Garden Market

FORT HUNT, VA — Gardening enthusiasts can get outside and appreciate the beauty of River Farm at its returning Spring Garden Market over two days in April.

The American Horticultural Society, which is celebrating 50 years of its headquarters at River Farm, will host the Spring Garden Market, on Friday, April 14 and Saturday, April 15, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at River Farm, 7931 E. Boulevard Dr., Alexandria, VA. The event will include 30 plus vendors, food trucks, and alpacas for family-friendly festivities. Last year, the event drew over 2,000 visitors.

Visitors can browse native plants, specialty plants, herbs, garden-themed art, books, tools, garden accessories, garden-themed paintings by local artists and more. Master gardeners will be available for questions.

Participating vendors to date include Acer Acres Japanese Maples; AlteredEco; Bashford & Pitt; Baskit, don’t bag it; Bees and Beetles, Blended Farms, Blue Ridge Gardens, Bruce Ciske Pottery, Cymron Cottage Nursery; Down the Garden Path; Elodie’s Naturals; Fairfax County Master Gardeners Association; Hill House Farm & Nursery; Hooray 4 Books; John Wasowicz; Kino Alpaca Criations; Lillian Nathalie Cake; Little Hat Creek Farm; Nature by Design; Nomadico Shop; Peasant’s Parcel; Persimmon Street Ceramics; Pine Knot Farm; Radical Roots Community Farm; Rocklands; SeedEd Farm; Seven Bends Nursery; Shade Metals; So Many Flowers; The Natural Garden; Tree Stone Steps; Written Graciously; and more to be announced.

The Manor House, an 18th century home once home to George Washington's personal secretary Tobias Lear, will be open for tours. The event will also include savory and sweet bites from local eateries. Visitors are invited to explore River Farm's gardens, which will have 16,000 tulips in the spring.

Proceeds from the Spring Garden Market will support the continued maintenance of River Farm and future efforts to increase public accessibility.

River Farm, once part of George Washington's land, became the American Horticultural Society's headquarters in 1973 with help from benefactor Enid Annenberg Haupt. The property not only serves as a landmark for the organization to promote horticulture, but it's also a local landmark residents use for recreation and special occasions. The American Horticultural Society had put the property up for sale in late 2020, but it was taken off the market after a community Save River Farm movement and change in the American Horticultural Society's leadership.

Tickets for the Spring Garden Market are available in advance at www.ahsgardening.org/sgm. Admission is $5 per individual or $20 per car to park, which includes admission for all passengers. Fees are waived for current American Horticultural Society members with a membership card or current issue of the members magazine, "The American Gardener." Tickets will also be available on site.

Visitors are advised to bring water bottles, sunscreen, and boxes or bags to carry purchases to the event. Limited wagons will be available at the event.

Sponsors and donors include The Peele Group, Northern Virginia Conservation Trust, Harry and Grace Rissetto, Wegmans, Fort Hunt Plumbing, and Thomas J. Fannon & Sons. Media and marketing partners include: Alexandria Living Magazine, The Zebra Press and Linemark. Food sponsors include: Rocklands Barbeque & Grilling Company and Flame & Cones Food Truck.

River Farm is typically open to the public Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. For more information, visit www.ahsgardening.org.