The traditional annual event has been postponed this year until July 30.
“But we didn’t want to wait that long to celebrate spring in our area,” said Alison Baringer English, executive director of the festival. “That’s a big part of what the Azalea Festival is about.”
So instead, the Hamerskis and dozens of garden party enthusiasts signed up to host their own smaller gatherings and get dressed in their finest party wear and enjoy the local natural beauty.
That’s what the couple did. They haven’t spent much time entertaining this past year, but Carter did pick up gardening as a pandemic hobby so she was showing guests some of her handiwork and a new garden shed built with the help of her father.