'Keeping it clean for our pollinators' is '22 fair display theme

This year the Portland River Valley Garden Club had the opportunity to set up a seasonal display in the main entrance at the Portland Fair. Members of the committee began to meet in late summer to brainstorm an appropriate theme, and decided to use this space as an educational opportunity for our community.

Focusing on pollinators, with the theme of "Let's keep it clean for Pollinators," the display included a beautiful bathtub filled with plants to drive the theme home. Members created four scarecrows from scratch to be the "pollinator ambassadors" in the display, helping to highlight the laminated 8x10" signs with fun facts about pollinators. Each sign also provided a QR code for attendees to learn more about the pollinators on our website. 

Several garden club members also donated mums, asters, hay bales, pumpkins and corn stalks to this year's eye-catching display. (Even a member of the community lent us the use of his beautiful ferns - which were also featured in the Memorial Day grandstand display.)

The display was assembled on Thursday evening and removed Sunday evening. Before dismantling, the display was featured in the background of an NBC Connecticut live update for the 6 p.m. news.

Message from our President, Amanda Foley:

"I wanted to first thank the Portland Fair ad-hoc committee that put together the beautiful entrance display, and thanks to those who donated mums and decor as well! The ad-hoc committee consisted of Jen, Amy, Kelle, Margaret, Bryan, Diane, and myself - thanks again everyone for your hard work!"