About this Event
Celebrate the season at our Fall Festival. Eat, learn, shop, and have fun at this free two-day community event held at Discovery Gardens. This fun, festive event has something for everyone and is a great way to support and explore local gardening and community programs. Explore the gardens, and shop plants and garden-related crafts.
Visit the 4-H Open House to learn about local youth programs, and enjoy hands-on activities for children and families. Meet our chickens and rabbit.
DATES
Saturday & Sunday
October 10-11, 2026
TIME
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
LOCATION
UF/IFAS Discovery Gardens
1951 Woodlea Rd
Tavares, FL 32778
COST: FREE ADMISSION
However, we always appreciate donations given to help expand the reach of our Residential Horticulture Education Program at UF/IFAS Extension in Lake County.
Donate Here:
WHAT TO EXPECT
- Saturday Only
4-H Open House
UF/IFAS Displays
Educational Talks - Both Days
Local Vendors (plants, crafts, food)
Local bands during lunch hour
IMPORTANT
No pets allowed. Service animals welcome.
MORE INFORMATION
Carla Fernandez
Residential Horticulture Assistant
[email protected]
Educational Talks
🕑: 09:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Easy Salsa Recipe (with samples)
Host: Lori Johnson, Lake County Family & Consumer Sciences
🕑: 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Plant This, Not That
Host: Lavon Silvernell, Florida Native Plant Society
🕑: 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Bees, Bees, Bees!
Host: Giles Paget-Wilkes, Master Gardener Beekeeper
🕑: 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
All About Hops
Host: Matt Smith, Lake County Commercial Crop Agent
🕑: 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Native Landscaping
Host: Christie Leibner, Wild Garden Co.
🕑: 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM
Compost: The Basic Equation
Host: Giles Paget-Wilkes, Master Gardener Volunteer
🕑: 12:30 PM - 01:00 PM
Show & Tell: Chickens & Rabbits
Host: Dallas Meringolo, County Extension Director, 4-H Agent
🕑: 01:00 PM - 01:30 PM
Restoring Shorelines
Host: Veronica Dau, Keep Lake Beautiful
🕑: 01:30 PM - 02:00 PM
What is a Bioactive Terrarium, Aquarium, or Pond?
Host: Kyle Trotter, Nature Built
Food Court
Royal Harbor Jammers
Host: Music
Info: Saturday 10am - 11am | Sunday 12pm - 1pm
Blackwater Creek Bluegrass Band
Host: Music
Info: Saturday 11am - 1pm
Fluffy Scoops
Info: Food Vendor
Taco Power Food Truck
Info: Food Vendor
The Assador Brazilian Barbecue
Info: Food Vendor
The Lemon Grove
Info: Food Vendor
The Dog House
Info: Food Vendor
The Real Maine Lobster
Info: Food Vendor
Plant Vendors
Calton's Nursery
Chianina Microtopia
Hartley Farm Citrus
Kazumi Garden
McCrory's Bromeliads
Mincy Farms
Plant Sages
Scrubland Farmz
Struther's Nursery
Wonders of Water
Craft & Other Vendors
All Good Gifts
Central FL Native Landscaping
Cornerstone Caregiving
Danny Hoffman Woodturning
Doug's Air Plants
Mac's Outdoor Design
Nature Built
Patchwork Place Apiary
Patio, Lanai & Tropical Plants by D&J
Plant Nativity / Just USA
Pocket Flower Co.
Regenerative Designs
Shara Abel Photography
Sheri's Sourdough n' Such
Simerly Insurance Group
Soulshine in a Jar
Spirit Healer's Teas
The Grow Food Company
Wild Garden Co.
Event venue & nearby stays
Discovery Gardens, 1951 Woodlea Road, Tavares, United States
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.