Local plant enthusiasts gathered at the Andreas Sporting Club to share their love of plants and art with one another this past Saturday at Carbon County Plant People’s second annual Plantfest.

The event included something for everyone to enjoy including plant swaps, vendors, food trucks and live music.

Plant swaps included a range of plants such as houseplants, outdoor plants, flowers and seeds.

A few people who swapped plants included Salisbury residents Theresa Sterner and her 16-year-old daughter Elizabeth, members of the Carbon County Plant People Facebook group.

Theresa noted that she had attended the event’s very first plant swap last year and she had really enjoyed the experience, leading her to come to this one.

She gave praise to this year’s swap as well, saying, “I think Amy (founder of Carbon County Plant People) does a great job and I’m really glad she puts this together. I also like that it’s free. It’s nice that everyone can attend.”

Some things that Sterner brought to trade included tomatoes, pumpkin, kale, cabbage, some Rose of Sharons and a Japanese red maple. In return, she received a snake plant, a string of turtles for her daughter, foxgloves and Cuban oregano.

Sterner expressed her love for the hobby saying, “I’ve always liked to garden outside and I’ve always had an outside garden ever since I was a teen. I’ve been into inside plants probably for the past 10 years, but I’m not an expert on them, I’m better with outside plants.”

On the other hand, she noted that her daughter Elizabeth preferred indoor plants more.

Sterner said her experience at Plantfest was an overall positive one.

“It was awesome, I love this. I love how (Amy) takes the time to put this together and how I can get rid of my excess and also get something new.”

There were over 40 vendors in attendance at the event. Although many of them sold plants, there were also a variety of other handcrafted items being sold as well, such as art, gems, candles, jewelry and woodwork.

One of the plant vendors included the business Wild Buds, a brand-new endeavor started by longtime friends Jillian Davidse and Caryn Becker.

Becker had been a longtime lover of plants and Davidse had recently gotten into the hobby last year when the pandemic began. The two of them had a lot of plants at their homes so they decided to have their first sale at Plantfest to sell their products.

Some of the plants they sold included house plants such as Wandering Jews, ivy, moss balls, snake plants, succulents and cactuses. They also sold a few outdoor plants from their personal gardens as well.

The most unique part of their business was the pots that the plants came in. Each of the plants were planted in colorful, 3D printed pots created by Davidse and Becker with a 3D printer. This creative detail made the duo’s business stand out.

Davidse noted that they were having a great turnout saying, “Business has been really steady, we haven’t really had a chance to stop.”

Food trucks at the event included local favorites such as Tripps BBQ, Caribbean Islands Cuisine and Phil’s French Fries.

If attendees needed a rest from walking during their time at the event, they could also sit at the benches and watch some of the live bands play on the venue’s stage. Performers included Persephone, The Towering Pine and Seeking Satellites.

There was also “Best Dressed for Fest” in which attendees could have their picture taken in front of a spaceship backdrop and then post it to the Carbon County Plant People Facebook group. People could vote for their favorite pictures and the winner would receive a free plant.

The Carbon County Plant People Facebook group was created nearly a year ago by Amy Wood with a goal to bring the community together through a shared love for plants.

Wood discovered her love for plants in a dark time in her life, and the hobby helped her heal.

Considering the fact that plants brought her so much joy, Wood thought, “If this makes me this happy, it’s gonna make everyone else happy too.”

And thus the Carbon County Plant People group was formed, aiming to bring the community together to learn and connect with others who shared an interest in plants.

Since it began, the Facebook group has been growing rapidly over the past year, with the group reaching 2,100 members in recent weeks.

Wood encouraged people to get involved with the Carbon County Plant People.

“Join our group, come be happy plant people and share your artwork. We’re just happy people and nonpolitical, we don’t care who you believe in or any of that. We’re just about good vibes, plants and art.”

To get involved with the Carbon County Plant People, visit their Facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/ccpp2.