Cheney brightens up for summer festivities

Thu., June 1, 2006

Luella Dow Correspondent

Cheney’s First Street will be abloom with flowers in time for Friday’s Farmers’ Market.

“This is our happy season,” said Charlie Dotson, executive director of Cheney’s Pathways To Progress.

On May 6, several board members began planting perennial and annual flowers in the barrels and baskets lining First.

“We had a flowerpot planting party,” Dotson said.

Preparing downtown Cheney for the summer activities is like getting a home ready for many guests, only on a grander scale.

Funds to purchase plants are provided by the Cheney community. The bedding plants were obtained at cost from Royal Gardens in Airway Heights.

Four miniature Alberta spruce trees had died over the winter. Replacements were supplied at price by Swenson’s Gardens & Nursery in Cheney.

Pathways To Progress member Carol Campbell and sons Richard and David made it a family affair as they scurried from one place to another setting up the new trees. The flower baskets were expected to be put up last Saturday.

The Campbells have volunteered to water the flowers until the baskets can be hung.

Dotson expects 35 to 40 Farmers’ Market vendors at the height of this year’s season.

“We’ve invested in more advertising and banners across College and Second streets,” he said. “I’d like to see more produce vendors and food vendors.”

Last September, tables and chairs were placed where customers could stop for lunch. More seating provided by the city and occasional live music will add to the festive atmosphere this year, with the Celtic band Plaid Cat playing at the first session.

Farmers’ Market hours are every Friday from noon to 4:30 p.m.

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