West Wash Park Community Garden to Host Its First Summer Harvest Market

West Wash Park Community Garden (WWPCG) is excited to invite neighbors to its first Summer Harvest Market on Saturday, August 29, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The rain date is Sunday, August 30. The market will take place inside the community garden, across from the Art Students League at the corner of East 2nd Avenue and North Grant Street.

The idea for the Summer Harvest Market grew from WWPCG Garden Co-Leader DesiRae’s desire to support the garden, give back to a local organization, and celebrate the community. Inspired by the long-running harvest market at Denver’s Rosedale Community Garden, WWPCG hopes to begin a new annual tradition for gardeners, neighbors, and visitors.

WWPCG is one of more than 200 community sites including gardens and food forests across seven counties in metro Denver in the Denver Urban Gardens (DUG) network. DUG is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides land agreements, resources, education, and support to help community gardens thrive throughout the Denver metro area.

Visitors to the WWPCG Harvest Market will be able to browse a variety of donated, garden-inspired items. Offerings may include fresh organic vegetables, produce and flower bouquets directly from the garden, homemade baked goods, jams, jellies, pickles, preserves, fermented foods, sourdough starters, fresh and dried herbs, tea blends, spice mixes, and handmade creations.

Unlike a traditional farmers market, the Summer Harvest Market is a community garden fundraiser. Garden members are donating produce, flowers, homemade goods, and handmade items to be sold collectively by WWPCG. Proceeds will support the garden budget for things like future improvements at the garden, with 40% this first year being donated to nonprofit organization(s) that helps connect fresh, homegrown produce with local families experiencing food insecurity.

“We wanted to create a way to support our garden, give back to our community, and celebrate the talents of our gardeners,” said DesiRae, Harvest Market organizer and WWPCG Co-Leader. “Our team's number one goal this first year is to have fun and enjoy creating something together. I couldn't do this without the support of our amazing Harvest Market team we created this year, and we're excited to welcome our neighbors and begin what we hope will become an annual garden, and community tradition.”

In preparation for the market, WWPCG garden members are contributing produce, flowers, preserves, baked goods, herbs, and handmade items. Garden volunteers are also helping organize the event, set up displays, welcome visitors, and share information about the community garden.

The Harvest Market is open to everyone, including families and children. Neighbors are encouraged to stop by, meet local gardeners, explore the garden, and support an event that celebrates local community gardening, creativity, and community connection.

WWPCG looks forward to welcoming the community and beginning what it hopes will become a lasting annual tradition.