Garden Fest 2025 Blooms with Community Spirit Despite Rainy Weather

Friday, May 2, 2025

By Deanna Rea

Bakersfield College and the Horticulture Department proudly hosted the much-anticipated Garden Fest 2025 this past weekend, and this year’s festival delivered a truly unforgettable experience! Despite the unexpected downpour of rain, the turnout remained strong, with enthusiastic guests exploring a diverse array of booths, activities, and entertainment. With more than 100 local businesses and organizations participating, Garden Fest offered something for everyone, creating an engaging and memorable experience that highlighted the college’s deep-rooted commitment to community and education.

The lawns stretching between the FACE and Performing Arts buildings were lined with dozens of vendor booths, transforming the area into a lively marketplace. The concrete walkways buzzed with activity as attendees browsed the wide variety of offerings. While Garden Fest is rooted in horticulture, the selection extended far beyond gardening essentials. Guests explored handmade jewelry, unique clothing, authentic crystals, and an assortment of interesting collectibles, highlighting the creativity and diversity of local artisans. Adding to the experience, a variety of food vendors served delicious treats, including refreshing shaved ice, coffee, flavored candies and fruit, savory twisted potatoes, and much more.

This year’s event offered a vibrant and diverse selection of greenery, featuring everything from lush pothos and succulents to beautiful rose bushes, aloe vera, dracaena, and eye-catching cacti. Vendors like Zack’s Big Tree and Nursery, Sublime Succulents, General Tree Service, and Ace Hardware showcased impressive displays of plants and gardening tools, making it easy for attendees to find both inspiration and the essentials for starting or expanding their own gardens. The BC Agriculture Department was also on hand, offering expert advice and an array of starter plants that were perfect for first-time gardeners. In addition to horticulture-focused vendors, several of the college’s departments and services participated in the event, including NASSSP, BC Career Education, and Veteran Services.