This year's Garden Mart of Bel Air will be held on Friday, April 24, beginning at 9 a.m., in front of the Harford County Courthouse on Main Street.
The three Federated Garden Clubs of Maryland, District III garden clubs participating this year are the Evergreen Garden Club of Harford County, Friendship Garden Club and the Country Garden Club of Harford County.
All are invited to visit the outdoor garden event. Beautiful handmade crafts, decorated trays, mirrors, bird houses, delicious homemade baked goods, colorful flowers and fresh plants will be for sale.
Visitors can enjoy lunch at one of the numerous restaurants up and down Main Street, and live entertainment will be featured in the courthouse square.
The Bel Air Appearance and Beautification Committee is supporting the efforts of this year's Garden Mart by providing insurance coverage and advertising, as well as the tables and chairs needed for the day.
In 1927, the first flower mart was held in front of the courthouse in Bel Air. The earlier Garden Marts resembled a mini-fair with pony rides, clowns, cut flowers, plants, dairy products, eggs, vegetables and plant sale. The proceeds were used for British Relief.
World War II forced a temporary hold on the garden mart in 1941, but the event resumed two years after the war ended.
There have been other cancellations since, including one because of the excessive cost of insurance that would have eliminated any profit from the sales, but the mart always seemed to reappear for another year.
The first Garden Mart earned $154. The event does a little better now. This year's proceeds, from the Evergreen Garden Club of Harford County, will be used to purchase evergreens and plants for a Habitat for Humanity house being constructed in Bel Air.