ECHO’s 26th Food & Farm Fest opens Saturday
One of the biggest — and most popular — events in North Fort Myers opens Saturday.
ECHO Farm will hold its 26th annual Global Food & Farm Festival from March 16-22, with a two-day break in between, and an order of events that will be a little different than in the past with Farm Day leading off the event schedule.
“We wanted to get ready for the big Saturday and this gave us a little more time to give to the workshops so people could attend. It just seems to work out all around,” said Danielle Flood, ECHO’s assistant director of advancement.
Farm Day runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and guests can tour a tropical rainforest demonstration or learn about alternative energies as they are demonstrated in the appropriate technology area.
There will be many food items for people to sample so you won’t go hungry, and kids can taste, touch, and experience their way around the world as they learn about world hunger and ways they can make an impact.
As always, there will be numerous demonstrations, workshops and on-stage cooking shows as well as lots of fun things to do including taking part in or learning about Giant Jenga, Sugar Cane Crushing, Grind-your-own Peanut Butter Sample, Innovative Water Pumps, Moringa, Mushrooms, Spinning Wool, Urban Garden, Tropical Lowlands, Monsoon Climate, Semi-Arid Garden, Rainforest, Community Gardening and Peri-Urban Spaces.
There will be a silent auction, food trucks, balloon animals and face painting, as well.
After taking Sunday and Monday off, the festival will continue March 19-22.
Tuesday is the first day to enjoy the offered daily tropical tasting lunch from the community garden at noon for $25.
Wednesday will introduce attendees to edible landscape design, plant propagation and the miracle of moringa.
Thursday will kick off with a tropical fruit walking tour, followed by hands-on grafting, an ECHO favorite and seed saving techniques for gardeners.
Friday will feature an edible class on food and healing and experience beekeeping, which was added last year and had become a huge hit.
“Last year was the first time we did it and I attended. We got to be so much closer to the bees and interact with them like I never thought possible,” Flood said. “One lady wrote to me and said she was keeping bees and wouldn’t have if she didn’t take the seminar.”
Farm Day tickets are $8, children 5 and under are admitted for free.
Fees to attend the various classes vary. For a complete schedule — and availability as some of the more popular offering at nearly fill — visit echonet.org.
Advance tickets for Saturday will save you $2 per ticket if you purchase before Friday. Visit echonet.org/events/global-food-and-farm-festival.
The 57-acre ECHO Farm is at 17391 Durrance Road.
To reach CHUCK BALLARO, please email news@breezenewspapers.com