Plant Native Festival returns to Dorey Park Oct. 24

Henrico County's Plant Native! Festival will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, next to the Dorey Park Farmers Market at 2999 Darbytown Road.

The event will include native plant vendors, educational booths, children's activities, and presentations about native plants, home habitat and invasive plants. Keep Henrico Beautiful and Henrico County Recreation and Parks are hosting the festival.

The county plans to distribute 750 one-gallon potted trees on a first-come, first-served basis, with a limit of one tree per household while supplies last. Species available for the giveaway are Canadian serviceberry, fringetree, northern red oak, persimmon and sweet bay magnolia.

The Dorey Park Farmers Market also will offer $10 vouchers that may be used for native plants sold at the festival, thanks to a grant from H.E.A.R.T. Vouchers are limited to one per person and must be used during the event.

Scheduled presentations begin at 9:30 a.m. and cover native plants, home habitat and invasive plant identification and control. A children's insect costume showcase and parade is scheduled for 11:15 a.m. Kids 12 and under will receive a small prize for participating.

Admission is free. Additional details, including the vendor list and presentation schedule, are available on the Plant Native! Festival event page.