That’s a Wrap on Garden Fair 2025!
What a weekend! We were delighted to welcome more than 5,500 guests to Minnetrista for a vibrant two-day celebration of plants, community, and creativity. From strolling through one-of-a-kind vendor booths and learning from expert horticulturists to crafting your own living terrarium, Garden Fair truly had something for everyone.
With music drifting through the air, hands-on activities for all ages, locally made goods, and mouthwatering food options, the event felt like spring in full bloom. We’re especially excited to share that our Horticulture Tent saw a 32% increase in sales, and overall attendance grew by 18% this year.
Creativity Meets Chaos: Bob Ross Dueling Easels
Garden Fair brought a perfect mix of creativity and friendly competition with a new crowd favorite: the Bob Ross Dueling Easels face-off. Guests gathered in excitement as two Certified Bob Ross Instructors (CRIs)—Joseph Durham and Mike Lyons—went brush-to-brush in a fast-paced, head-to-head painting challenge.
Armed with palettes, paint, and plenty of playful banter, the artists created side-by-side winter mountain landscapes. But this wasn’t your average painting demo. At any moment, spectators could shout “switch!”—forcing the artists to swap canvases and continue where the other had left off, adding an unpredictable twist to the competition.
As if that weren’t enough, Mike turned up the chaos by blindfolding Joseph mid-painting and launching a bubble machine to cloud his view. Nothing was off-limits, and the audience loved every second of it.
With laughter, talent, and a little bit of mayhem, the Bob Ross Dueling Easels event made a lasting impression and earned its place as a Garden Fair favorite.
A Lively Mix of Art, Music, Plants, and Local Treasures
The Cantina transformed into a haven of happy clouds as two Bob Ross Painting Workshops unfolded, guided by the talented Joseph Durham and a cheerful crew of Certified Ross Instructors. Thanks to the generous partnership with Bob Ross Inc., Garden Fair attendees had the opportunity to unleash their inner artists in these affordable workshops. Beyond the canvases, creativity blossomed in miniature ecosystems at the "Ball Jar Terrariums" station and flowed into hanging greenery with the "Build-a-Basket" activity, offering hands-on fun for all ages.
“The most rewarding part of Garden Fair is seeing our community come together—neighbors, families, and friends—connecting through music, horticulture, and shared experiences,” said Brea Cunningham, Director of Marketing and Communications. “It’s a beautiful reminder of what makes this place so special.”
The vibrant energy extended throughout the grounds, with bursts of color from young chalk artists, whimsical bubbles dancing in the air, and kids enjoying lawn games on the Wishing Well lawn. Storytime captivated young minds with engaging tales and tactile props, while the sweet sounds of Maybelle Music Fest performers set a lively soundtrack to the day. Visitors enjoyed music from local artists like Four Rivers Band, Lovesick Moan, Prairie Creek Sirens, and Oxford Baking Company while shopping Garden Fair and Farmers Market Vendors.
There were so many amazing items to choose from and you’re in luck if you want another look! Some of the vendors from Garden Fair will show back up at future markets. Check out our Marketspread vendor maps for each market to see if/when your favorite vendor will be at an Outdoor Farmers Market this year!
With perfect 70-degree sunshine gracing the event, happy faces (both human and canine!) filled the atmosphere, alongside refreshing cocktails, local brews, and the ever-popular apple cider slushies from The Orchard Shop. Plus, the Horticulture tent and many vendors offered a diverse selection of plants, making the day a true celebration of creativity, community, and the joys of the garden.
To see more images from the day, check out our Flickr album!
