The first of what Shelley Hartmann, executive director of the Mineral County Economic Authority, hopes are many Hawthorne Spring Flings got off to a

Spring Fling attendees browse through the various vendor tables at the Hawthorne Convention Center on Saturday. The first annual event raised money for Hawthorne’s Community Garden. (Stephen Tool photo)

By Stephen Tool, MCIN Staff

The first of what Shelley Hartmann, executive director of the Mineral County Economic Authority, hopes are many Hawthorne Spring Flings got off to a roaring start Saturday, April 5.  The event celebrates the spring season and is also a fundraiser and promotional event for Hawthorne’s Community Garden.

The event featured a number of vendors, live music, barbecue, a cupcake judging contest and raffles. Hartmann was pleased with the money raised for the Community Garden, enough to pay the water bill for several months.

“This is our first Spring Fling, and we had way more vendors than I expected; we’re really happy, and the donated raffle prizes were really beautiful,” Hartmann said.

Hartmann also mentioned several of the vendors did very well in their product sales.

One of the Community Garden events for children, the pumpkin growing contest held great interest.

“We had over 75 children sign up. We still have about 50 kits left for the kids. They just need to come down here (901 E St.) to pick them up and get started.” Hartmann said. “The pumpkin growing contest is a way for kids to get their feet wet growing things for themselves and learning to take control of their futures. I think it’s really important.”

The Community Garden booth staffed by Mort and Mary Mortenson, sold all of their canvas bags and received numerous orders for their kitchen aprons.

Hartmann said the Community Garden is expanding this year and they need more volunteers. “We’re really thankful for the people who support the Community Garden, it’s a real positive venture,” Hartmann said.

The Spring Fling is an event that is held in conjunction with the Fall Festival. Hartmann said the Fall festival is tentatively slated for Oct. 25.