Verona Garden Club's Botany & Booze fundraiser planned for May

A celebration of vegetation and libations will soon take place in the spot that’s more than a dot.

Verona Garden Club’s third annual annual Botany & Booze fundraiser is set for May 20 at Railroad Park near the borough building.

“This year, we’ve got more breweries, more vendors and more food trucks for everybody,” club vice president Samantha Swift said. “It’s a great event to go to because it not only showcases different florals you can buy to beautify your home, but the proceeds go right back into the community.

“It’s a great day for families no matter what your interest is. I look forward to this day so much every year, and I hope everyone else does too. It really gives a sense of community.”

Admission is free. East Railroad Avenue is expected to be blocked off from South to Center avenues.

Patrons ages 21 and older can purchase tickets to sample drinks from the various breweries and distilleries.

There are two drinking sessions: noon-3 p.m. and 4-7 p.m.

Tickets per session are $35 or $50 for VIP. The VIP package comes with a commemorative glass, tote bag and other event swag.

A portion of the proceeds will go toward various garden club projects such as replacing flowers along the Allegheny River bed and adding spring flowers throughout the borough.

Participating companies include Inner Groove Brewing, Acclamation Brewing, Cellar Works, Trace, 4Four5 Distillery, Mondays Brewing, Arboretum Trail Brewing, Dancing Gnome Beer, Acrospire Brewing, Old Thunder Brewing, Tortured Souls Brewing and Lawrenceville Distillery.

Many arts and crafts vendors have also signed up, including Saging Space, Fjord and Fable, Psquare Scents, Vespertine Goods, Alvas Apothecrary and Have a Nice Daisy. Lineup is subject to change.

Other activities include live music, and the garden club will have annuals, perennials, herbs and hanging baskets for sale.

Inner Groove was one of the first companies to get involved with the fundraiser.

Co-owner Jen Walzer and her team helped get other drink sellers involved.

“It’s one of my favorite events of the year,” Walzer said. “We love anything that we do in Verona. It also helps the garden club, and they do great things for Verona. They help keep it nice and beautified all year long. We like doing any event in this park. There will be a beer release at the event.”

The event was bumped back to one day after last year’s two-day split.

“Two days is a lot to ask for all the vendors,” Walzer said. “One day is more manageable. It seems to fit better.”

Food trucks scheduled for the event include Rincón Oaxaqueño, Chef N’A Box, Wood Stoked BBQ, Lemonade & Pastries and Tango.

Tickets are available online, veronagardenclub.org, and at the event.