The Vermilion County Master Gardeners’ annual Garden Day event brought more than 175 gardening enthusiasts from across the region for a full day of inspiration, learning, and community celebration.
Held at the Danville Area Community College Bremer Conference Center, Garden Day has become a beloved tradition for over 25 years, offering a perfect blend of educational opportunities, vibrant vendors, and exciting fundraising activities. The day kicked off with a packed house, with guests hearing from experts and renowned speakers on topics ranging from creating bird-friendly landscapes to exploring the latest gardening trends.
Speaker Mike Ward gave a presentation on creating a bird ecosystem in your landscape. Ward provided tips on transforming home gardens into bird sanctuaries and encouraging biodiversity year-round.
Ryan Pankau shared his expert knowledge on raised garden beds, walking attendees through the ins and outs of building and maintaining raised beds for a more fruitful vegetable garden.
Speaker Karla Griesbaum inspired many with her talk on flowering native trees and shrubs, teaching guests how to incorporate the low-maintenance plants into their gardens while boosting local ecosystems.
Nathan and Lisa Campbell wrapped up the day with a forward-looking session on “What’s New in 2025,” introducing the latest gardening innovations and trends that are sure to shape the future of home gardening.
In addition to speakers, the event also featured a vendor market. Local artisans and garden experts showcased a variety of unique products, including plants, tools, decor, and more. Attendees had the chance to purchase one-of-a-kind gardening treasures and engage with knowledgeable vendors on the latest gardening products and techniques.
A silent auction was also held.
“With Garden Day tickets selling out in advance, the Vermilion County Master Gardeners were thrilled by the overwhelming support from the community. This year’s event was a wonderful reminder of the passion and knowledge that the local gardening community shares,” a news release states. “Plans are underway for next year’s event, with organizers promising more inspiring speakers, exciting vendors, and unique silent auction baskets.”