Talbot County Garden Club Counts on its Symposium Success

On April 22, Talbot County Garden Club Symposium co-chairs Tracy Garrett and Paige Connelly created a distinctive event for an appreciative audience of flower and garden lovers.

 Floral Fête, Talbot County Garden Club’s April 22 Symposium, lived up to expectations. It was a glorious day filled with flowers galore, three insightful and inspirational speakers, luxe luncheon delicacies, a dozen quality vendors, and an exciting silent auction, all set in a welcoming environment at The Oaks Waterfront Hotel. Accolades continue to roll in to co-chairs Paige Connelly and Tracy Garrett and their committees from the event’s 250 attendees.

According to garden club president Maribeth Lane, “We are pleased to report that the event netted more than $40,000 that will return to the local community over the next 2 years via the club’s ‘green’ programs. The programs that benefit from these funds include plants and maintenance for four parks in Easton, annual Project Grants, complimentary public garden lectures, hands-on workshops for Young Gardeners and for Adults Living with Disabilities, holiday arrangements for Meals on Wheels participants, and regular floral donations to Talbot Hospice and Talbot Interfaith Shelter.”

Talbot County Garden Club’s recent Project Grants provided trees and vegetation for the town’s Rail Trail and for the US Post Office grounds. This fall, the garden club will hold a flower show that will be open to the public.

Further according to Lane, “We have so many people to thank for supporting this event, beginning with our local business sponsors and all those who purchased tickets to attend.” Tickets were offered online on the club’s website (Talbotcountygc.org) and were sold out within two weeks of their release in January.

The garden club’s Symposium is a biennial event. It will be offered again in April 2027. Next year on May 9, the garden club will present the biennial Talbot County Tour. As part of the Maryland House & Garden Pilgrimage, the Tour showcases the inimitable style of Talbot County, with the talents of the club’s floral designers again in full view. Profits from the Tour are designated for historical restoration in the county; this being the case, the Symposium proceeds are vital to fund the club’s own ongoing programs. 2026 Tour proceeds are already targeted to support repointing the brick on the Talbot Historical Society’s Neall House in Easton.