(GardenFest hours Saturday, May 18, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sunday, May 19, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. All activities listed during those hours are free except the Back Alley Garden Tour and Tea. Some details may change. Visit www.shepherdstownvisitorscenter.com for the latest schedule information.

Weekend’s Signature Event

Back Alley Garden Tour and Tea. Tour hours are Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. The Tea takes place from 12 – 4 p.m. both days on the second floor of the War Memorial Building. Enjoy dooryard gardens and backyard retreats, with merchants and homeowners sharing a unique, wonderful esthetic for all things that grow; a tradition as alive today as at the founding of the town. Admission $25 for both the tour and tea or $15 for just the tour or the tea. Tickets available in advance at the Sweet Shop, Village Florist, and Bistro 112. Tickets available during the event at those locations and the War Memorial Building. For full info go to www.backalleygarden.org.

Entertainment Schedule

Saturday, May 18

12 noonSam Jannotta & Lisa Lafferty. Blues, jazz and alternative folk. Sponsored by Bistro 112.

1 p.m. Chelsea McBee. Alternative Country. Sponsored by ReFINEments

2 p.m. Gregorio Lacerda, Josh Stella & Friends. Brazilian and Blues. Sponsored by Yellow Brick Bank.

3 p.m. Bob Keel. Folk, Americana and Alternative. Sponsored by Domestic.

4 p.m. Cam Millar Trio. Jazz. Sponsored by the Bavarian Inn.

9 p.m. Seryn. At the Shepherdstown Opera House, 131 West German Street. Admission fee.

Sunday, May 19

11 a.m. Shepherdstown Hicks with Sticks Morris Dancers. Traditional Morris dances from the border of Wales and England.

12 noon. The Outpatients. Folk rock. Sponsored by the Mecklenburg Inn.

1 p.m. Christian Lopez. Folk rock. Sponsored by Blue Moon Caf.

1 p.m. Flowers and Birds (Scooter and Sophia Scudieri). Indy alternative. In the Four Seasons Books garden at 116 West German Street. Sponsored by Four Seasons Books.

2 p.m. Danny Tait Trio. Jazz. Sponsored by the Press Room.

7:30 p.m. Davinia and the Vagabonds. At the Shepherdstown Opera House. Admission fee.

Demonstrations & Exhibits

(All will be offered Saturday 10 a.m. 6 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. 4 p.m. unless otherwise noted)

On King Street, between German Street and Queen’s Alley (This section of the street will be closed to vehicle traffic.)

Blue Morning Farm. Community-supported agriculture.

Boomtown Hoops. Handmade hula hoops, soaps and lotions.

Jim’s Whims/Cedar Spring Farm. Recycled-material planter systems, garden art, starter plants and produce.

Native Havens Landscape Designs. Container plantings, perennials, pruning and design tips. (Saturday only.)

Panhandle Hydroculture. Indoor gardening and advanced hydroponics techniques.

Peace in the Valley. Herbs. (Sunday only.)

Potomac Farms. Plants and bushes.

Potomac Valley Audubon Society. Learn how to be a backyard naturalist! Get tips about using native plants and other ways to attract wildlife to your backyard and birdfeeder.

Shea Wolfe Designs. Garden hats, flowered mirrors, masks, jewelry and scarves. (Sunday only.)

Wild River Organics. Herbs and plants (Saturday only.)

At other Locations

Art Show. Joy Bridy, garden ceramics; Marian Buckner, floral and landscape painting (meet the artist 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. Saturday). In the garden and gallery at Bridge Gallery, 8566 Shepherdstown Pike. Lemonade in the garden.

Beekeeping. Techniques and hive demonstrations. In the garden behind ReFINEments, 125 West German Street.

Briggs Animal Adoption Fundraiser. Scarves, lemonade, and cookies. In front of Bistro 112, 112 West German Street.

Children’s Garden Activities. Story hour featuring garden-related stories and activities, with Devon Whitacre. (Saturday only at 11 a.m.) In the garden behind Four Seasons Books, 116 West German Street.

Children’s Obstacle Course. Sponsored by Two River Treads and Hypnocoffee. On the lawn behind Hypocoffee at 104 South King Street.

Children’s Pottery. TBD at the Little Pottery House, 203 South Princess Street.

Composting Demonstration. Master composters Melanie Files and Rick Lowman will show how to establish an outdoor compost pile and demonstrate indoor-composting. Also selling T-shirts and compost thermometers. In front of Shaharazade’s Restaurant & Tea Room, 141 West German Street.

Fresh and Local CSA. Offering strawberries, fresh eggs, plants. (Saturday only.) In the garden behind Four Seasons Books, 116 West German Street.

Historic Shepherdstown Museum. Open extra hours both days: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Sunday. 129 East German Street.

Little House. Hours open TBD. Built in 1929 as a teacher-training project, the Little House grounds include a small limestone cottage in full detail, near the street; behind the house and across Town Run is a miniature dairy barn. At one time the grounds included tiny gardens and fields. On Princess Street between German and High streets.

Mecklenburg Tobacco Warehouse (Saturday only). Open for tours throughout the day. Members of the Friends of the Shepherdstown Riverfront will be on hand to talk about birding and other outdoor opportunities at the riverfront. At the North end of Princess Street near the boat ramp.

Mushroom-growing. Demonstration and discussion about mushroom-growing techniques. In the South Princess Street Garden across from the Devonshire Arms. (Saturday only.)

19th Century Gardening (Saturday only). Presentations on the hour by early gardening expert Susan Rosenvold. At the Entler Hotel, 129 East German Street.

Planting demonstration. Demonstration of planting in wall hanging planters. On the porch of Coffee & Candlery, 103 West German Street.

Princess Street Urban Garden. Talk about the garden and chickens. On South Princess Street, opposite the Devonshire Arms.

Shepherdstown Liquors, Featuring herbal and floral liquors. 207 South Princess Street.

Shepherdstown Visitor’s Center. Open throughout the weekend for information about the event and the town. 129 East German Street.

Picnic Menus at local restaurants

(In addition to offering dining inside, the following restaurants are offering picnic food in front of their establishments. There will be bistro tables and chairs set up on King and German streets for those wanting to eat out of doors and listen to the music.)

Bistro 112. Sandwiches, chips and drinks. 112 West German Street.

Mecklenburg Inn. Grilled hamburgers, hot dogs and sodas. 128 East German Street.

Mellow Moods. Wraps and smoothies. 119 West German Street.

Mountaineer Ice Cream. Ice cream and hot dogs. 207 South Princess Street.

Shaharazade’s Restaurant & Tea Room. Scones, iced tea, wraps and chicken salad. 141 West German Street.

Tony’s Pizza. Pizza slices and sodas. 126 East German Street.

Sidewalk Sales by local Stores

(All on German Street unless otherwise noted.)

ASAD’s Oriental Rug Emporium. Floral rugs, garden statues, greenery.

Blue River. Floral ladies apparel, living wall planters, vases.

D’Accord Boutique. French gardening dcor, pots, floral arrangements.

Dickinson & Wait. Metal sculptures and garden-themed contemporary crafts.

Four Seasons Books. Discounted cookbooks and gardening books; small merchandise.

German Street Coffee & Candlery. Wind chimes, flower-scented candles and hanging fixtures.

The Good Shop. Flowered dresses and accessories.

Grapes & Grains. Picnic baskets, backpacks, cheese and crackers.

The Local Source. Rain barrels and garden art.

Look in Pop’s Attic. Garden urns, pottery, art and dishes.

Lost Dog Caf. Assortment of green stuff.

Needful Things 2. Planters, garden dcor.

The Now & Then Shop. Picnic baskets, tag sale.

O’Hurley’s General Store. Outdoor furniture and gardening tools. 205 East Washington Street.

On the Wings of Dreams. Statuary.

Pedal & Paddle. Bikes and boats.

Plum. Flowered earings.

ReFINEments. Garden furniture, hats, floral dresses and gardening shoes.

Steppin’ Out Shoes & Such. Colorful floral ladies apparel (scarves, bags and shoes).

Two Rivers Treads. Outdoor clothing.

Village Florist and Gifts. Flowers and plants.

US Country Wildflowers/Shepherdstown Paint and Art. Floral water colors.

Yarnability. Easy-crochet, -knit and-flower kits. 219 South Duke Street.

Markets and Bazaars

First Shepherdstown Back Alley Sale. Saturday only 9 a.m. 4 p.m. A multi-family sale that will feature antiques, art, accessories, furniture, tools books and many other items. The Back Alley is located behind the 200 block of West German and New streets. The alley will be closed to traffic during the sale and shoppers can leave their purchase for later pick-up so as to be able to fully participate in all the other activities available in town.

Trinity Treasure Kids’ Bazaar. Saturday only. A fun fair and yard sale in the Chapel and side yard of the Trinity Episcopal Church, corner of West German and Church streets.

Shepherdstown Farmers Market. Saturday 9:30 a.m. 12 noon near the Post Office on Washington Street; Sunday 9 a.m.-1 p.m. behind the Library on King Street. Farm-fresh produce, flowers, and herbs from local growers plus local baked goods, cheeses, honey, and meats.

Morgan’s Grove Market. Saturday only, 9 a.m. 12 noon at 3988 Kearneysville Pike (Rte. 480). Open air marketplace for local farmers, bakers, chefs, artists, and crafters. Music and special entertainments.