Blooms and Blossoms: Charles Town celebrates spring with annual event

Ranale Jones sets up her booth at Needful Things, where children planted Indian corn in terra cotta pots and made crafts, during the Blooms & Blossoms event. Toni Milbourne
CHARLES TOWN – Charles Town Now, in conjunction with several downtown Charles Town businesses, held the first annual Blooms and Blossoms event in Charles Town on Saturday. Perfect spring weather led to an ideal day for the event, which featured a variety of outdoor activities for visitors and residents to enjoy.
Children got their faces painted at Grandma’s Diner, before heading off to make butterflies at Calico Jack’s Grill or coasters at Tee Dawgs BBQ.
Charles Street was closed for the afternoon, as the Easter Bunny arrived to greet children who then could jump in the moonbounce or play a variety of games which were offered along the street.
Back on main street, children could decorate planters at Elle’s Niche and Art Deco Dekor or paint terra cotta pots at The Hobbies Shop. Needful Things offered seed planting and other activities in front of their store.
“It was a pleasure teaching and planting Indian corn with over 100 children,” said shop owner Melissa Glascock. “It warms my heart to see the comradery between our community and our merchants. I am elated being a small business owner since 1981.”

Bob Tabb, of Town & Country Nursery, stands by one of his best selling plants, a hanging basket of strawberries. Tabb was one of dozens of vendors set up at the Charles Town Farmers Market opening day. Toni Milbourne
Needful Things staffer Ranale Jones, who headed up the game table outside of the downtown business, said she enjoyed participating in the event.
“The air was abuzz with excitement from kids and adults alike. I can’t wait for next year!” Jones said.
As part of the festivities, town officials also hosted the ribbon cutting ceremony at Rouss Hall, as well as participating in the grand re-opening of B Vintage and the opening of Fuzzy Dog Books and Music.
A Pub Crawl sponsored by Art of Misty Lord, helped close out the festivities celebrating spring.
Deals of all sorts could be found at a variety of businesses along Washington Street and beyond as the event that officially began at noon continued on into the early evening hours.

The Charles Town Farmers Market opened for the season on Saturday, just prior to the Blooms & Blossoms event welcoming spring to the town. Toni Milbourne
Prior to the official Blooms and Blossoms activities, the Charles Town Farmer’s Market opened for the season with shoppers selecting delicious food products including Black Dog coffee and a variety of baked goods. In addition, early produce was available as were seedling plants for gardeners to get a jump start on their backyard plantings. Flowers were also available in the form of potted plants and hanging baskets. The market will be open each Saturday moving forward.
- Bob Tabb, of Town & Country Nursery, stands by one of his best selling plants, a hanging basket of strawberries. Tabb was one of dozens of vendors set up at the Charles Town Farmers Market opening day. Toni Milbourne
- The Charles Town Farmers Market opened for the season on Saturday, just prior to the Blooms & Blossoms event welcoming spring to the town. Toni Milbourne