Queens County is in bloom this weekend as the Region of Queens hosts the first-ever Dogwood Festival — a community-wide celebration marking 25 years since hundreds of dogwood trees were planted across the area.
The trees were part of a millennial project launched in 2000, with residents planting dogwoods on their front lawns to beautify neighbourhoods and build a shared sense of identity. Today, those trees are a seasonal feature across the region, covering communities in pink and white blossoms each June and July.
To celebrate the milestone, the Dogwood Festival will offer a series of public events from Friday through Sunday, all centred around community, art, and nature.
The festival opens with a tree planting ceremony at the Queens County Museum in Liverpool.
On Saturday, Cobb Park will host “Dogwood Portraits,” an outdoor art session led by Nova Scotia painter André Haines. Visitors of all ages and skill levels are invited to drop in and paint beneath the trees.
On Sunday, local photographer Amy McGowan will be taking professional portraits under the blossoms as part of “Pictures in the Park.” Printed photos will be available on-site for visitors to take home.
Festival organizers say the goal is to recognize the quiet transformation the tree planting project has brought to the region over the past 25 years, and to continue growing that legacy for the future.
The Dogwood Festival is open to all, and a full schedule is available at www.regionofqueensdogwoodfestival.ca.
