Many St. Johns neighbors are looking forward to the annual Mint Festival kicking off later this week. The festival, celebrating its 40th anniversary, has deep roots in the community’s history of mint farming.
- The St. Johns Mint Festival celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, expecting to draw 60,000 to 80,000 visitors.
- Paul Martis, one of the festival’s founding members, reflects on how the event has grown since its 1985 inception.
- The festival will take place August 8-10 with events at both the Clinton County Fairgrounds and downtown St. Johns.
WATCH: St. Johns celebrates 40 years of Mint Festival tradition with founding member’s reflections
St. Johns prepares for 40th annual Mint Festival
Paul Martis, now 93 and living at Grace Haven Assisted Living, was among the key local leaders who helped bring the first Mint Festival to life in 1985 alongside his late wife, Joann Martis.
“It’s unreal, really. Because I can’t believe she manufactured something that resounds year after year after year,” Martis said.
Martis worked on a mint farm owned by his father while growing up and appreciates how the festival continues to recognize the history of mint farming in St. Johns…