Spring has finally arrived and Flora Fest is a good a way to welcome and celebrate the season. The annual festival sponsored by the Charlotte County Master Gardeners, will be held Saturday, April 28, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Charlotte County Extension Office at 133 LeGrande Avenue in Charlotte Court House. Activities throughout the day include the spring plant sale, lectures, herb sale and herbal lunch to eat-in or takeout.

The day’s lectures will feature JoAnn Jones, VA Master Naturalist At 9:30 a.m. she will discuss Milkweed and Monarchs. Jessica Driver, another VA Master Naturalist will talk about invasive insects and diseases of concern in Virginia at 10:30 a.m.

A partner in the day’s events is the Southside Virginia Herb Society. Their herb plant sale will be held across the street from the Extension Office at Village Presbyterian Church. The herb plant sale will feature all types of herbs including ones you don’t often find locally. Heirloom tomatoes are also featured. A handmade tea cozy will be raffled off. New this year is a booklet featuring Colonial herbs that will be offered for sale.

A dine-in or takeout lunch will be served from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the church Fellowship Hall. There is a choice of egg or ham salad sandwich, a snack and herbal cookies. Drinks will also be for sale.

The Southside Virginia Herb Society is a group of area residents interested in learning about herbs, promoting herb use and sharing herbal knowledge with others. A major goal of the Society’s work is to sponsor a scholarship program for students interested in agriculture or horticulture. Proceeds from this event fund the scholarship program.