University Star

Through both rain and shine, vendors and gardeners came together Saturday at the annual Wildflower Fiesta at the San Marcos Nature Center.

Jayme Starrak, general studies Texas State alumna, purchases plants April 14 at the San Marcos Nature Center for the Wildflower Fiesta.

The Fiesta was revived this year as a mix of the center’s annual plant sale and artisan market.
Vendors could buy a booth at the event for $10 to 20, depending on where they wanted to be located on the property.

Jenna Winters, nature center program coordinator, said the only qualification was all items from the vendors had to be handmade.

Beth Andrew, recreation administration senior, said there were 27 vendors who participated in the event.

The money earned from the booths went to benefit environmental education in San Marcos and the surrounding areas. Winters said the nature center is paired with multiple elementary schools in order to get the word out about environmental awareness.

She said they plan to reach more than 1,000 kids in the next month.

The fiesta brought in all kinds of vendors, from gardening suppliers and face painters to artists and jewelry makers.

Winters said some of the plants sold were grown at the nature center.

“It was a year-long endeavor,” she said.

A bicyclist traveling across the country with Bike and Build, a nonprofit organization, was there to help spread the word of her adventure.

Samantha Beasley, the bicyclist, said she heard about the event from Andrew, and she was excited to be there to speak to San Marcos locals about her trip.

Sommer Kamphaus, data entry operator at office of undergraduate admissions, was showing off her “Uncorked” jewelry collection, which she designed with Windy Keene, Austin local.
The fiesta was the second venue they attended.

The two said they were happy with the result because it was affordable and they were able to easily make money.

 “I wish they would have one once a month,” Kamphaus said.

The guest list was projected at between 400 to 500 people. However, there has not been enough consumer interest to hold the fiesta more often.

Winters said the problem is getting the word out about events like these at the nature center.
Keene, however, said increasing frequency would lead to more traffic on a regular basis.