ST. PETERSBURG — The city’s longest-running environmental celebration hits a milestone this month when the 40th annual Green Thumb Festival takes over Walter Fuller Park on April 25-26.
The free two-day event, St. Petersburg’s official Arbor Day celebration, runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days at 7891 26th Ave. N. More than 120 vendors selling plants, flowers, trees, herbs and landscaping supplies will fill the park, alongside food trucks and environmental exhibits.
The festival dates to April 11, 1986, when then-Parks Director Litdell “Dell” Holmes launched an Arbor Day event at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve. Holmes created it to meet requirements for the Tree City USA designation, which St. Petersburg has held every year since. The event moved to Walter Fuller Park for its second year and has been there since.
Attendance typically reaches 30,000 to 35,000 over the two days.
This year’s lineup includes a birds of prey presentation from Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, a ladybug workshop for kids ages 5-12, a rain barrel seminar and an Orchids 101 class. The Garden Club of St. Petersburg will stage its annual juried flower show, with awards presented Sunday, April 26, at 3 p.m. inside the Walter Fuller Recreation Center. The public can vote for best of show in horticulture and floral design.
Other highlights: free plant and pine seedling giveaways, an “Ask an Arborist” station, tool sharpening, a plant diagnostic clinic, tree climbing, garden wagon rentals for $5 and a free mulch delivery raffle for city residents.
Parking is available at Azalea Middle School, the Azalea Youth Soccer League complex and behind Walter Fuller Recreation Center. A free trolley runs between the parking areas and the festival grounds. Handicap parking is at the recreation center’s main lot and the pool parking lot.
The event is rain or shine. Weather cancellations would be posted on the St. Petersburg Parks and Recreation Facebook page.
For more information, visit stpeteparksrec.org/greenthumb or email greenthumb@stpete.org.
IF YOU GO
What: 40th annual Green Thumb Festival
When: April 25-26, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days
Where: Walter Fuller Park, 7891 26th Ave. N., St. Petersburg
Cost: Free
Parking: Azalea Middle School, Azalea Youth Soccer League complex and behind Walter Fuller Recreation Center. Handicap parking at the recreation center main lot and pool lot. Free trolley between parking areas and festival grounds.
Info: stpeteparksrec.org/greenthumb or greenthumb@stpete.org
Workshop schedule
Saturday, April 25
10 a.m. — Planting Herb Seed Snails (adult)
11 a.m. — Birds of Prey Presentation (youth)
Noon — Beneficial Bugs: The Lovely Ladybug (youth, ages 5-12)
1 p.m. — Animal Tracks & Identification (youth)
2 p.m. — Catch the Rain Seminar (adult)
Sunday, April 26
10 a.m. — Flowers Workshop (adult)
11 a.m. — Build a Butterfly Garden (youth)
1 p.m. — Flower Pot Decorating (youth)
2 p.m. — Orchids 101 Seminar (adult)
3 p.m. — Flower Show awards ceremony, Walter Fuller Recreation Center