WHITESTOWN — Cold temperatures and cloudy skies didn’t keep attendees — by the hundreds — away from the recent Herb and Flower Festival. Cornell Cooperative Extension Oneida County master gardener volunteers reported almost 800 guests who came to the event.

The festival took place at the Oneida County Farm & Home Center, 121 Second St.

Attendees were able to visit nearly two dozen garden-related vendors, walk in the Parker F. Scripture Botanical Garden, enjoy food vendors, sit in on educational classes and get advice at the Master Gardener’s booth.

More than 100 people attended the four classes offered throughout the day, including “A Great Escape in Your Own Backyard,” presented by keynote speaker Natalie Carmolli, a Proven Winners representative.

Carmolli discussed how attendees can create a private escape in their backyards by designing a garden that works for them instead of them working for their garden.

The Master Gardener Booth provided many free samples, including a selection of seed packets. They also provided on-demand answers to attendees and offered more in-depth explanations the following week. The Master Gardeners also created the Garden Scavenger Hunt that attendees could partake in while walking through the Botanical Gardens.

The scavenger hunt will be left up through fall for the public to enjoy while walking through the gardens. Future plans for the interactive children’s garden were announced during the festival, and visitors could see a preview of what will be coming later this year.

The CCE invites people to stop into the garden to check on its progress and be on the lookout for the grand opening of the new Music Garden and Nature-Based Play Center. Also, keep an eye out for the Monarch Butterflies coming in August.

The Parker F. Scripture Botanical Garden is open daylight hours seven days a week and is free to the public. Enjoy a walk in the garden and take a hike on the Nature Trails. For information on home garden questions, call Cornell Cooperative Extension at 315-736-3394, ext. 333, weekdays between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.