Plant Native! Festival » Henrico County, Virginia

image with a white banner with text that says "Plant Native! festival" in front of a bundle of native plants

Saturday, October 24, 2026 9am – 1pm – Dorey Park

A celebration of native plants, the ecosystems they support, and local organizations working hard to protect our environment. We’ll have native plant vendors, educational booths, kid activities, free plant vouchers, and more! The event will be located next to the Dorey Park Farmers Market at 2999 Darbytown Rd, Henrico, VA 23231

Tree Giveaway

We have received a grant from the Virginia Department of Forestry to facilitate a tree giveaway at this year’s festival. We will be giving away 750 one-gallon potted trees on a first come, first served basis. One tree per household will be given while supplies last. Links to information about each tree are provided below. Please research your tree before you come to the event.

Canadian serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis)
Fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus)
Northern red oak (Quercus rubra)
Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana)
Sweet bay magnolia (Magnolia virginiana)

A banner with text "Free Native Trees!" hung on the underside of a tent that is full of one-gallon potted trees.

Free Vouchers

Our partner, The Dorey Park Farmers Market, has received a grant from H.E.A.R.T. to give out $10 vouchers for guests to redeem for native plants. The vouchers will be available only for the duration of the festival, must be used at the festival, and are limited to one per person.

Presentations

9:30 AM – 10:00 AM | Why Plant Natives? – Sheryl Smith, Certified Master Naturalist

10:15 AM – 10:45 AM | Habitat at Home 101 – Dan Schardein, Certified Master Naturalist

11:15 AM – 12:00 PM | Insect Costume Showcase and Parade

12:15 PM – 12:45 PM | Invasive plants in your yard: beginning ID and control, with Q&A – James River Park System Invasive Plant Task Force

Kids Insect Costume Showcase and Parade

Native plants play a vital role in our ecosystem by protecting watersheds and supporting wildlife. This year, we’re highlighting their connection to the food web, with a special focus on native insects!

We’re excited to announce that we will be hosting an Insect Costume Showcase and Parade at this year’s Plant Native Festival! Kids twelve and under will receive a small prize for participating. You can enter by signing up between 9:00 and 11:15 in the workshop tent at the festival. Participants must return to the workshop tent by 11:10 and the showcase will begin at 11:15. If you have questions, email us at [email protected]. We can’t wait to see your costumes!

A little boy in a bee costume sitting on an outdoor stage.

Native Plant Sellers

A Wise Gardener
Colesville Nursery
Davis Natives
Fleur-de-lis Farms
Flower Moon Nursery
Good Seed Natives
Hill House Nursery
Local Ecotype Richmond Natives
Natives and Blooms
Oak Grove Trees
Sprout Natives
Twin Oaks Native Plants
Woodside Pawpaw
Woolly Bear Natives

Other Sellers

By Grace Mae
Henry’s Worm & Soil
Marigold Paper
One Little World
Rabbit & Wren

Food Vendors

Cocina Calle
Flavors of Truth
The Exit Plan

Informational Organizations

Blue Ridge PRISM
Capital Region Land Conservancy
Fiddlehead Holistic Horticultural Services
Foundation of the Flora of Virginia Project
Hanover Virginia Cooperative Extension/Master Gardeners
Henrico County Department of Public Works
Henrico County Public Library
Henrico’s Environmental Action Resource Team
Henricopolis Soil and Water Conservation District
Henrico Virginia Cooperative Extension/Master Gardeners
JRPS Invasive Plant Task Force
Junior Naturalists
Keep Virginia Beautiful
Longan Elementary Garden Club
NOPE Compost Co.
Plant RVA Natives
Pocahontas Chapter of the Virginia Native Plant Society
Richmond Audubon Society
RVA Goats
Sierra Club Falls of the James
Three Lakes Nature Center
Virginia Bluebird Society
VA Department of Conservation and Recreation – Natural Heritage Program
Virginia Master Naturalists – Riverine Chapter
Wetland Studies and Solutions, Inc.
Wild Ones Greater Richmond Virginia Chapter
Xerces Society for the Conservation of Invertebrates

Native Plant Festival Vendor Application

Craft and food vendor applications are now closed

Deadline: September 24th, 2026.

Event Date: Saturday, October 24, 2026

9 am-1 pm @Dorey Park

2999 Darbytown Road, Henrico, 23231

Contact Name

Name of Organization/Business

Address

Street Address City State ZIP Code

Phone (Work)

Phone (Cell)

Please check the box that best describes your product, service, or nature of your business.

Government Agency

Community Group/ Organization

Native Plant Seller (VA native plants only)

Business (Information regarding services must relate to native plants/gardening/nature/environment)

Will items be sold?

Yes

If yes, please attach a complete list of items to be sold, including prices.

Accepted file types: jpg, pdf, doc, png, Max. file size: 50 MB.

A business license is required to sell items on park property. Please visit the Henrico County Department of Finance page for more information. No food may be prepared day of to be sold or given away other than the permitted food vendors.

Event Reminders

The space will be available 7:30 am -8:30 am event day for set-up and vendors will have one hour after the event to break down and remove display from the park. No exhibits may be taken down prior to 1:00 pm
You will be provided with a 10’ x 10’ space, unless otherwise approved by event coordinators. Exhibitor must provide their own tables and chairs. A tent is strongly recommended but not required. If you need electricity, you’ll have to provide your own generator and extension cords.
If you are bringing a tent, you must stake them to the ground to prevent from flying away.
Vendor must keep display up and staffed continuously from 9 am – 1 pm
The event is rain or shine. You will receive a phone call no later than 7:30 am on October 24th if weather conditions become unsafe and the event needs to be postponed or canceled.
APPLICATION SUBMISSION DOES NOT GUARANTEE A SPOT ON THE FIELD

Upon coordinator’s review, we will notify all approved applicants by October 7th. Timely entries are encouraged. Currently, there is no vendor fee.

Space Required

Size of Trailer/Tent

Additional Needs

I agree to these terms(Required)

Yes, I agree.

Thank you, Henrico County Recreation and Parks, for being our co-host.

Additional Dorey Park information.