A beloved Sewickley-based flower-themed fundraiser is under new management.
May Mart, a community event that usually brings in about 70 garden clubs, nurseries and nature-oriented businesses to the borough, is being organized by the Sewickley Valley Chamber of Commerce this year.
It started in the 1960s and was run for decades by the Sewickley Civic Garden Council, which is comprised of a handful of borough-based garden clubs.
The mart takes place on the Saturday before Mother’s Day.
Each council member club funds, plants and maintains one of Sewickley Village’s gardens or public spaces, including Wolcott Park, Sewickley Post Office, Sewickley Public Library Patio and Walnut Street Parklet.
In addition, the council funds many local projects through gifts and grants funded through its biannual grant cycle.
Proceeds from the sales at May Mart supported clubs’ efforts.
Chamber Executive Director Erica Parr said she was approached by garden council officials early this year when the Village Garden Club of Sewickley became a chamber member.
Those conversations resulted in the garden council stepping back into a more participant/vendor role and the chamber taking the reins.
A decrease in volunteerism and lack of organizational interest were factors in the transition.
“May Mart has been run on a completely volunteer basis to date, and this year we found ourselves without volunteer leadership necessary to run the event,” Garden Council President Annie Gensheimer said. “Rather than cancelling the event, we thought of checking in with the chamber to ask them how they might feel about taking over running the event. There are many similarities of an event like May Mart to the events like Night Mart that the chamber so successfully runs.”
Chamber Night Marts take place on the last Friday in June, July and August and draw thousands to the business district.
“It has been a really wonderful experience working with Erica Parr,” Gensheimer said. “She is detail-oriented and really cares about making this a seamless transition.”
Parr said she is grateful to continue the event’s tradition while adding some new sponsorship, vendor and marketing opportunities.
A portion of the proceeds is still expected to go to the Sewickley garden clubs.
“It’s really to keep Sewickley green and keeping with the theme,” Parr said. “It’s something that people do really look forward to. It’s in nice proximity to the Village and farmers market. … We’re happy to help and make sure that this event continues.”
Council clubs will still have their traditional items for sale, such as the Grapevine Garden Club’s variety of heirloom tomatoes, herbs and vegetables.
The council will be selling Oram’s famous cinnamon rolls for the third straight year, which are donated by Oram’s Donuts in Beaver.
Attendees should have no trouble finding their favorite hanging baskets, perennials, succulents, native plants and other vegetation.
“We really haven’t don’t anything too, too different,” Parr said. “We are increasing the amount of vendors.”
Vendors include Forge Fried, Bearly Cookies, Piebird, The Lemon Lineup, Camille’s Bakehouse, Best Ever Granola, Green Forks, Conservation Nursery, diVino Wine Bar & Retail, Herbal Appalachia and Happy Plant Botanicals.
“There’s a little bit of something for everyone,” Parr said.
Grapevine Garden Club member Lynn Popovich served as May Mart’s vendor coordinator for about 20 years.
She called the event organization transition bittersweet.
She likened it to a small-town shop stepping up to a major department store.
“I think a lot of ladies didn’t want this to happen and a lot of ladies did,” Popovich said. “I hope it goes well. I hope it’s a success. It’s a little different, the way they set up some of the vendors. A lot of vendors who I’ve worked with for 20 years are coming and there will be some new ones.”
Popovich met with Parr in April for a passing of the bouquet, a passing of the torch for May Mart.
“(May Mart’s) been our baby for so long,” Popovich said. “It sort of hurts a little bit, but I understand things have to move on and grow. We’re all getting older and it’s easy to pass things on.
“It’s a fun time and a party time and reconnecting with people that you don’t see. It’s a big family affair because old, young, new, babies, people that just moved into town come and they meet people and become friends. It’s always been a lot of fun and I hope it remains that way.”
More information about the event, including a full list of vendors, is available at sewickley valleychamber.org.
