The new REACH community garden in Sylvan Park hosted a soft and grand opening, beginning Thursday, March 26, with a soft opening event and cascarones workshop led by the March artist-in-residence, Loriann Hernandez, who goes by Elle Seven. At the grand opening Sunday, March 29, Seven hosted skate lessons.
The project is organized by Artlands in Redlands in partnership with the University of Redlands and the city of Redlands. Examples of native plants and ways to use raised planters for growing vegetables are part of the demonstration at the community garden.
Making cascarones is a tradition that dates back 200 years to 1826, Seven explained. “You crack the egg on somebody you want good luck to happen to,” she said. Cascarones are used for celebrations or fiestas, not just for Easter.
“Traditionally they put confetti in [the eggs], but we are going to put flower petals,” she said at the Thursday workshop. Birdseed and flower seeds were also added before participants painted the eggs and sealed the holes with tissue paper. Changing the contents from confetti to biodegradable, environmentally beneficial materials tied into the messaging of the REACH community garden…