BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Despite the name, the Wicked Plant Fest is not focused on poisonous vegetation.
Instead, attendees will find an array of luscious greenery and artisan crafts at the spring event from 10 am. to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 7, at ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks, 101 Founders Way.
- The Wicked Plant Fest will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 7, at SteelStacks
- Vendors will sell houseplants, floral arrangements, handmade jewelry, plant supplies and organic produce
- The free event also will feature live music and five local food trucks serving tacos, burgers, poutine fries and ice cream
The festival is organized by Dawn Ash, owner of The Wicked Botanist, a plant store that opened in 2021 with shops in Bethlehem and Kutztown.
The store carries a variety of seasonal leafy houseplants as well as other garden supplies, such as pots, fertilizer and macramé plant holders.
Along with Ash's spot, about 70 vendors are expected to set up tents at the festival, now in its second year.
Half of them will sell houseplants, native plants, floral arrangements, succulents and carnivorous plants for mini-gardens or terrariums.
"Attendees can purchase a wide variety of plants — indoor houseplants for beginners all the way to some very rare collector plants like Thai Constellations, which is our featured plant for this event," Ash said.
"I will have a bunch that are marked under $100 which is very uncommon for this collector must have."
There also will be vendors selling handmade jewelry, fresh produce, aromatherapy, pet-themed items, wood vases and bowls, crystals, ceramic gnomes and tarot card readings.
Among the businesses are Ryan Messner Glass,Threadwork Addict,Ravens Call and Conjure,Moss Boss, Crooked Row Farm, T&T Nursery and Alien Moon Arts.
In addition, look for the plant swap table, where houseplants enthusiasts may share stories and trade plant cuttings.
'Good vibes' only
Lehigh Valley musicians Seth Witcher and Jillian Rossi will perform that day.
Witcher, who describes his music as alt-pop, released his single, "Blame My Mood” in December and plans to debut new music that day.
Hungry? Food trucks such as the Flying V, Cousins Maine Lobster, Lu Taqueria, Mon and Mel's Sweet Scoops and We Squeeze to Please will cook up poutine fries, lobster rolls, tacos, ice cream, lemonade, cheeseburgers, corndogs and cheesesteaks.
"The Lehigh Valley Wicked Plant Fest is a great community-building event, bringing people together who love plants, nature, art and handmade creations," Ash said.
"This community is one full of love and good vibes. If you love a laid-back, green space where you can come face-to-face with rare plants and handmade art made by your local talented artisans then this is an event you do not want to miss."Dawn Ash, owner Wicked Botanist
"This community is one full of love and good vibes. If you love a laid-back, green space where you can come face-to-face with rare plants, and hand-made art made by your local talented artisans, then this is an event you do not want to miss."
"The Lehigh Valley Wicked Plant Fest is a great community building event, bringing people together who love plants, nature, art and handmade creations."
VIP tickets are available to shop an hour earlier for $35.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Lehigh Valley Public Media is a sponsor of the Wicked Plant Fest.
