🌴 Free Fun Around Town: Springfest, Strawberry Fest & More

In Partnership With

Good morning, Summerville parents!

There is no reason to be bored at home this weekend! There’s plenty of fun for everyone to enjoy with the annual Katie’s Krops Springfest and Westbury Farms Strawberry Festival as well as several grand openings around town. All these events offer free entry, and many have free food items and/or discounted menu prices. Keep reading for all the details you need, including how to get free biscuits at Vicious Biscuit and free kids' smoothies at The Bomb Bar this weekend.

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Wishing you all a great weekend of fun and connection in our community! 🫶🏼

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TO DO

Volunteer with Katie’s Krops

Katie’s Krops is a youth-driven nonprofit that began in 2009 when 9-year-old Katie Stagliano grew a 40-pound cabbage in her Summerville, South Carolina backyard. Moved by the impact of donating it to a local soup kitchen—feeding 275 people—Katie launched a mission to combat hunger through gardening. Today, the organization supports over 100 youth-led gardens across 30 states and has donated more than 800,000 pounds of fresh produce to those in need.​

The flagship garden in Summerville serves as the heart of Katie’s Krops, providing monthly garden-to-table dinners at Summerville Baptist Church. These meals are prepared using produce from the gardens and are free to anyone in need, with delivery options available for those unable to attend in person. ​

🌱 Volunteer Opportunities at Katie’s Krops

Katie’s Krops offers various ways for kids and families to get involved year round:

• Garden Workdays: Volunteers can assist with planting, weeding, harvesting, and general maintenance of the flagship garden. These hands-on opportunities are open to all ages, though children must be accompanied by an adult. ​

• Outdoor Classroom:The Outdoor Classroom offers educational experiences for children (primarily kindergarten through 5th grade) and adults. Topics range from composting and cooking to pollinators and arts and crafts. Some classes are open to all ages, while others have specific age requirements. ​Get updates about classes here.

• Meal Support: Volunteers can contribute by preparing, serving, or delivering meals during the biweekly dinners. Additionally, donations of homemade desserts, milk, and non-perishable items are welcomed. ​

• Host a Food Drive: Community members can organize food drives to collect essential items needed for meal preparation, such as pasta, canned goods, and cooking oils. ​

• Join the Volunteer List: By signing up for the volunteer list, individuals receive updates on upcoming opportunities, including garden workdays, food drives, and special events.

To learn more or to get involved, visit katieskrops.com. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or new to volunteering, Katie’s Krops offers meaningful ways for your kids and family to fight hunger in Summerville and learn lifelong skills.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

Katie’s Krops Springfest

Katie’s Krops Springfest is one of the best ways that you can support their mission, while having a blast. It’s a fun, free, and meaningful way to spend your Saturday morning! Here’s what to expect:

• 🌯 Delicious Bites & Treats

  • Jmacs-CBM Food Truck is back with their famous cheesesteaks & more.

  • Fort Dorchester High School culinary students will serve fresh, herb-infused focaccia bread using ingredients from the garden.

  • The Summerville Police Department Paddy Wagon will offer frozen treats to help you cool off.

• 🎨 Arts, Crafts & Activities for Kids

  • Nature Pendant Making with Magnolia Family Dental

  • Flower Pressing creations with The Kept Petal Charleston— a perfect activity for all ages (and makes a great gift for mom or grandma)

  • A garden-themed treasure hunt and other interactive fun!

  • Back by popular demand—baby chicks from The Chick Inn on Main! Cuddle these sweet fluffballs and learn all about chicken care in a fun, hands-on environment perfect for future backyard chicken keepers (or anyone who just loves cute animals).

• 🌸 Garden & Greenery

  • Expert gardening advice from Mr. Steve Chapman of Bonnie Plants

  • Garden tours and insights into growing your own food

• 🐶 Community Connections

  • LowCountry Animal Rescue will be on-site with adoptable pets.

  • Second Chance Thrift Shop presents a live fashion show featuring fun, affordable finds that support local nonprofits.

• 🎁 Giveaways & One-of-a-Kind Finds

  • Enter to win giveaways and check out the silent auction featuring a gorgeous, hand-painted rocking chair by Lowcountry artist Margaret Hall Hoybach—a stunning piece to brighten any porch.

Whether you’re bringing the kids, hunting for a unique gift, or just coming for the food, Springfest is packed with purpose and joy. You’ll leave with a full heart (and probably a full stomach), knowing your presence helps support a mission that feeds our neighbors and empowers the next generation of changemakers.

📍 Event Details

Date: Saturday, April 26
Time: 9:30am-12:30pm
Location: Katie’s Krops Flagship Garden
505 Gahagan Rd, Summerville (on the campus of Crossroads Community Church)

Learn more at katieskrops.com

LOCAL EVENT

Strawberry Fest at Westbury Farms

Get ready for a sweet Saturday at the 4th Annual Westbury Farms Strawberry Festival—this family-friendly celebration is packed with fun and flavor, and admission is completely free! Here's what you can expect:

• 🍓 U-Pick & Pre-Picked Strawberries – Grab a bucket and head to the fields or pick up a ready-to-go gallon.

• 🛍️ Local Goodies Inside the Market – Stock up on jams, jellies, pickled treats & Faithful Foods favorites.

• 🖌️ Face Painting by The Blueeyed Wren LLC

• 🎀 “Cutest Berry in the Patch” Contest – Pre-registration required! (Details in comments on the Westbury Farms Facebook page) Brin

• 🍔 Sweet Southern Chill Food Truck – Serving delicious eats all day long!

• 🍭 EK’s Sweet Spins – Cotton candy magic happening on-site!

• 🚜 Free Combine Simulator – A fun farming experience for all ages! Click here to see what it’s like.

• 🎯 Free Family Games & a giant sand pit for the kids to enjoy

Bring chairs and blankets to enjoy the cutest berry in the patch contest!

📍 Location: Westbury Farms, 1005 North Gum St, Summerville, SC
🗓️ Date: Saturday, April 26th
⏰ Time: 10am-5pm

RESTAURANT

Free Biscuits at Vicious Biscuit

Since opening in Summerville almost five years ago, Vicious Biscuit has been a fan favorite. Known for their delightful buttery biscuits and biscuit sandwiches with unique fillings and toppings, you never have to worry about leaving hungry or unsatisfied. You can see their full menu here. They are also currently featuring regular, strawberry, or blackberry French toast made with their biscuits.

For the next five months leading up to their five year anniversary celebration, they will be running special promos and events. And there’s still time to catch this week’s— a free biscuit with every children’s book you donate (one per person per day). Earlier this week we grabbed a few books, got our $12 worth of free biscuits, and enjoyed a couple sides for a cheap and delicious breakfast out. All the books will be donated to the George H. Seago Jr. Branch of the Dorchester County Library (the one right off of Old Trolley).

Vicious Biscuit is in Nexton Square at 206 Front Street in Summerville. They are open Monday-Thursday 7am-2pm and Friday-Sunday 7am-3pm.

Other freebies this weekend:

• Free kid’s smoothies at the grand opening of The Bomb Bar in Nexton tomorrow (plus 20% off all menu items). There will also be a bounce house for the kids.

• Free fun with jump castles, slides, and face painting at the Co-op’s Lawn Party in Nexton tomorrow.

• Free photo booths, balloon art, face painting, and glitter tattoos, at the grand opening weekend of Bruster’s Ice Cream in Summerville. They will also have discounted menu items.

PALMETTO PIECE

The Power of Parenting with Flexibility

Lately, I’ve been realizing just how valuable the skill of flexibility is in parenting. There are plenty of moments where structure is necessary—like getting kids out the door for school, making sure they eat something besides snacks, or keeping everyone seated during a restaurant meal. But I’ve started to notice there are so many more moments where flexibility is not only possible—but helpful.

One little motto I’ve been repeating to myself lately is: If it’s not broken, don’t fix it.
If the kids are happily playing together? I don’t need to stick to my plan to start a load of laundry or prep dinner. I can take that quiet window to work on something else—or just breathe for a second.
If they’re content at home but I had planned a trip to the park? Stay home. On the flip side, if the mood at home is spiraling, that might be the perfect time to get outside and reset. The key has been learning to adapt my to-do list to my kids—not the other way around.

Of course, some days that’s easier said than done. But the more I’ve leaned into this idea, the more peaceful our days feel. And as it turns out, research backs this up: studies in child development show that flexible parenting—being able to adjust to a child’s mood, energy, and environment—can lead to better emotional regulation and fewer behavioral struggles over time. Kids thrive when their caregivers respond to the moment, not just the plan.

So if your day doesn’t go quite the way you imagined? That’s okay. Let the laundry wait. Follow the joy, the calm, or the need—and watch what happens when you let flexibility lead the way.

Love,

The Berks 👨‍👩‍👦‍👦