Plantfest 2023 has taken root in Lansford’s Kennedy Park with the first of two festivals kicking off Saturday morning with a variety of vendors, music, yoga, food and, of course, plants.

The day-long festival, which began as a simple plant swap among gardening enthusiasts, continues to grow and evolve, said organizer Amy Wood.

“The first year, we met in a church parking lot,” she said. “There were maybe 50 of us.”

The following year, when plant swap talk started up again, people said they wanted to sell things, and then, came music. Before long, the simple gathering was a festival.

“It was group of friends who were willing to make it happen,” Wood said.

Nearly 60 vendors signed up for Saturday’s festival, which will run from 11 to 4 p.m. with a Halloween in April theme, she said.

Why Halloween? This late April event is the six-month mark from All Hallows’ Eve, she said.

“I love Halloween,” Wood said. “They always do Christmas in July, and I’m always like, ‘Oh, Christmas in July again. We don’t’ need another one of those. We need another Halloween.’”

She plans on coming in costume, and so is her 9-year-old son, who she said gets excited for Plantfest.

People are encouraged to dress up, as there will be a costume contest with prizes which have been donated, including one form Master Gardeners, she said.

All of the vendors will either feature handcrafted, homemade or plant-related items, which is one of the rules of the festival, Wood said. And the number of vendors grows with each event, she said.

People can also bring plants for the plant swap, which allows gardeners to “swap out” plants, seeds, cuttings and bulbs that they don’t want or need for another variety they’d like to try.

Music includes Dave Matsinko from 11 to 11:45 a.m., Geode from noon to 12:45 p.m., Hatter from 2 to 2:45 p.m. and the Towering Pine from 3 to 4 p.m.

People can also take part in free yoga with River Run Healing Arts from 1 to 2 p.m., Wood said.

People can bring blankets to sit on and listen to the music, and there are benches for seating in the park, she said.

Some of the food vendors include Phil’s French Fries, the Parryville Fire Co. with funnel cakes and the Mahoning Valley Lions with hot dogs. The Friends of the Lansford Pool will again sell homemade soup to go, Wood said.

Lansford Councilwoman Gwyneth Collevechio, who suggested to Wood that Plantfest make Lansford its home, recently reminded residents that event was this month, and the Friends group would be present.

“Plantfest is just an unbelievable event,” said Bruce Markovich, Lansford council president, describing the festival which will have two dates this year with a summer event planned for Aug. 26.

“It’s like a combination of old hippies and new agers all coming together,” he said. “There are bands, food and most importantly, just a lot relaxing and good conversation.”

Parking is available in a lot near Kennedy Park, and the parking lot at the Lansford pool is available as overflow - though a bit farther away, she said.

More information on Plantfest and vendors can be found on the group’s Facebook page, Carbon County PLANTFEST 2023.