FOLEY – Foley will conclude Arbor Day commemorations Saturday by giving away trees and with the first Coastal Garden Festival at the Coastal Alabama Farmers and Fishermens Market.
The city began the celebration Monday by giving books to local libraries to be enjoyed by local children.
“Every year the city of Foley Beautification Board donates a tree-themed book to our local school libraries and the Foley Public Library,” Mayor Ralph Hellmich said. “This is the commemorative of our Arbor Day celebration. This year is our 43rd year of being a Tree City.”
The Foley Revitalization and Beautification Advisory Board presented books to the libraries of Foley Elementary, Florence Mathas Elementary, Magnolia Elementary, Swift School, Foley Middle and Foley High School as well as the Foley Public LIbrary.
The city will also give trees in 15-gallon buckets to each of the schools, Brenda Shambo, city liaison for the board, said.
Residents can receive trees in 3-gallon buckets at the Arbor Day event, which begins at 1 p.m Saturday at the Coastal Alabama Farmers and Fishermens Market on Baldwin County 20, Miflin Road.
Varieties of trees being given away include live oaks, willow oaks, the giant green arborvitaes, three different kinds of holly and holiday juniper.
“We’ll have a big variety of trees to choose from,” Shambo said.
At the same time, the Coastal Garden Festival will be taking place at the CAFFM. The event will include several vendors with nursery items, including citrus trees.
The city will also dedicate three live oak trees in memory of people who have contributed to improving Foley.
Honorees include Sara Thompson. The tree in her memory will be planted in Max Griffin Park near the Sara Thompson Kids Park. Thompson was one of the organizers of the effort to create the park, which was later named for her.
Another tree will recognize Deputy Police Chief Randy Bishop. That tree will be planted on the Perry Wilbourne Rose Trail within view of the Foley Police Department building.
The third tree will be planted in memory of Anthony and Dee Kaiser at the Graham Creek Memorial Walk.
Shambo said the city will also present two Century Tree plaques recognizing trees that are at least 100 years old.
One plaque will be presented to Margaret Krupinski for her live oak located at the Krupinski Farm.
Another plaque will be presented to Dustin and Felicia Parrish to be placed near their oak tree on Waverly Lane.