The Altadena Community Garden is bringing back its Annual Picnic on Saturday, Sept. 30, after a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Part of the Garden’s 50th anniversary celebrations, the picnic will be held from noon to 6 pm.
Located at the former site of the Mt. Lowe Military Academy, the Altadena Community Garden provides 64 plots for local gardeners, including four handicap-accessible plots. Spanning across 2.5 acres on the southeast corner of Loma Alta Park, the garden has been a beloved space for residents since 1984.
Silvera Grant, president of the nonprofit overseeing the County-owned garden said her organization is thrilled to reopen their games and to reintroduce the Garden’s charm to the community.
The Annual Picnic has always been known as the garden’s main event and attracts a large crowd every year. Attendees can look forward to a variety of activities and attractions, including BBQ, fresh garden produce, an opportunity drawing, a Community Resources Fair, and live music and entertainment.
The picnic aims to create a festive atmosphere reminiscent of old-time country fairs, which also provides a venue for local politicians and community leaders to discuss efforts to continue supporting the garden’s mission of promoting healthy lifestyles and ensuring access to nutritious food within the community.
In addition to a variety of delicious BBQ options, health-conscious dishes will be available, including vegetarian and vegan options, prepared by garden members. Visitors will also have the opportunity to take guided tours of the garden’s expansive grounds, which includes its “Outside the Gates” fruit-tree expanse.
Tickets for the Annual Picnic are priced at $15 each and can be purchased online at www.AltadenaCommunityGarden.com.
Children aged 10 and under will have free admission and meals. On-the-spot ticket availability will be dependent on presale volumes.
The Altadena Community Garden also runs a children’s gardening program and Victory Garden extension classes. Over the years, the garden has received support from various organizations and donors, including Altadena Heritage, the Altadena Kiwanis Club, and the Altadena Rotary Club.
