City cautiously welcomes festival season with annual Plant and Garden Fair

MOUNT DORA, Fla. - Nov. 3, 2020 - PRLog -- Since Covid-19 gripped the world in 2020, all events were halted in the city of Mount Dora, Florida out of an abundance of caution due to safety concerns and social distancing.

Annual events such as the Mount Dora Spring Festival, Mount Dora Blueberry Festival and the enormously popular Mount Dora Craft Fair which ranked #2 Classic/Contemporary Craft Festival in the USA this year by Sunshine Artists Magazine were cancelled this year.

Janet Gamache who coordinates most of Mount Dora's large annual events says, "The October Mount Dora Craft Fair is just enormous. Thousands of people are on the streets at any given time over the weekend. There was no way to logistically space exhibitors enough to dilute the crowds. We don't know enough about this virus and to cram so many people together over 2 days would have been irresponsible. Next year we should have a better understanding about how it's spread, and we can adjust our footprint or the way the crowds are handled."

As for the annual November Mount Dora Plant and Garden Fair, Gamache says, "It's a smaller event and there are less vendors spread out with plants over all of Donnelly Park in front of City Hall. I believe it will attract locals who will come to pick up beautiful and unusual plants for their homes. We do not expect busloads of tourists to come and jam up the streets with bodies."

This is the first year Gamache is fully in charge of running the event since Christine Cole, the originator of the Mount Dora Plant and Garden Fair passed away shortly after last year's 25th annual event. "Christine was a good friend and she knew I had a passion for plants and festivals. It's a perfect fit and I plan to keep it running as long as I can."

November is the perfect time to plant in Florida. The festival will feature both native and exotic nurseries from all over Florida. Expect to find orchids, herbs, air plants, fruit trees, bamboo, bromeliads and many other specialty vendors. There will be crafters and artists selling nature inspired products and vendors will have items like wood furniture and yard art to enhance your outdoor space.

Cocktails, beer, wine and food will be available on site.

The 26th annual Mount Dora Plant and Garden Fair takes place Sat Nov 14, 2019 9am-5pm and Sun Nov 15, 2019 9am-4pm rain or shine in Donnelly Park. It is FREE to attend.
Go to www.PlantandGardenFair.com for more info.