Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – The PV Garden Club supports not only a more beautiful, clean and verdant city, but is also making it more attractive to tourism, thus creating a vibrant economy to support all the other great causes in Puerto Vallarta. Here’s the latest news from the PVGC.
Dear Members and Friends, As we embrace our vibrant Fall season, we are thrilled to share the latest updates and exciting news from the Vallarta Garden Club!
Sidewalk Planters: A Blooming Success! Our dedicated volunteers have been hard at work improving the sidewalk planters throughout Vallarta. The rebuilding and demolition of multiple boxes are underway, and we are in dire need of funding to make these all beautiful again.
Isla Cuale: A Green Oasis We are delighted to report that our volunteers are diligently weeding and maintaining the gardens on Isla Cuale. This lush green space continues to thrive, providing a serene escape for residents and visitors alike. Sunday Music in the Park series was a resounding success and will resume in November.
Annual Gala: Blooming Together! Mark your calendars for our highly anticipated Annual Gala on January 23rd from 6-10 PM. This year’s theme, “Blooming Together,” promises to be a spectacular celebration of unity and growth. We encourage everyone to start planning their outfits to express the vibrant spirit of our club and Puerto Vallarta’s exuberant floral blooms. Stay tuned for the announcement of the location!
Día de los Muertos on Isla Cuale We are excited to be hosting the third annual Isla de los Muertos event, a community festival to celebrate the Día de los Muertos tradition. This year’s festival will take place on Friday, November 1st from 4-10 PM on the east end of Isla Cuale. With over 600 people last year, we look forward to increased participation with this growing success. This year Vallarta Cares (previously Vallarta Food Bank) will collaborate, which will expand our community outreach. The event is open to the public with free entertainment hosted by the talented MC Kevin Anthony, and there will be food, drink, face painting, and loteria games for a small fee. Stay tuned for musical talent updates. In addition to all the activities, the gardens will be beautifully decorated with lights, memorial ofrendas, and Catrina statues.
We need your help to make Isla de los Muertos come alive! We’re seeking sponsors to help underwrite the expense of the event. With your help, 100% of the event proceeds will be directly for the organization’s benefits. For information on our sponsorship levels and sponsor benefits, please email suzannefontaine(at)me.com or message WhatsApp at +1 314-773-4225. Thank you for considering joining us as a partner in this magical community event!
– Suzanne Fontaine, Chair, Isla de los Muertos Festival, Treasurer, Vallarta Garden Club
Events
Sundays: Weeding Warriors at Isla Cuale, 8 AM-10 AM
October 10th: Gardening Workshop, Frida’s Garden, Isla Cuale,10-11:30 AM
November 1st: Día de los Muertos Festival on Isla Cuale, 4 PM-10 PM
November 24: Music in the Park series kick off 3-5 PM
End of Nov or early Dec, TBD: Welcome back cocktail party, new member candidates welcome!
December 5th: Holiday Wreath-Making Workshop, 10 AM-1 PM Location and details to follow on the VGC website.
January 23rd: Annual Gala “Blooming together” 6-10 PM
Ways Members Can Help
Membership Drive: October/November Join us for our annual membership drive! This is a fantastic opportunity to introduce new candidates to the Vallarta Garden Club. We are not your grandma’s garden club; we are an active group of social members who participate in events, volunteerism, and beyond. Fresh faces and new ideas are essential for the continued growth and success of the VGC. If you know someone who shares our passion for gardening and community service, please invite them to join us. Together, we can achieve even greater things!
Support the Club: Increase Your Membership Level We kindly ask our current members to consider increasing their level of membership this year. Your generous support is crucial in sustaining and expanding the club’s initiatives and opportunities. Every contribution helps us achieve our mission of beautifying Vallarta and fostering a strong, vibrant community.
Get Involved! We invite all members and friends to get involved in our various projects and events. Whether it’s planting, weeding, or simply enjoying a social gathering, there is something for everyone.
Curved Benches in Frida’s Garden: We are excited to announce a limited-edition sale of 4 curved benches in Frida’s Garden on the Isla Cuale. These benches will feature tiles depicting Frida’s life and the donor’s name on the side. Each sponsored bench will be available for only $2800 USD. The benches will feature Frida’s artwork as interpreted and hand-painted by our talented member Cassandra Shaw.
Steppingstones remain a popular revenue source and beautify our walkways with custom sentiments on tile for $275 each.
Local Endorsements Received:
Vallarta Garden Club (Club Jardin) was conceived by Bob Price in 2010, following the opening of Vallarta Botanical Gardens in 2005. The club has grown significantly over the past 14 years and is now led by Sunny Rossi. With over 500 planters throughout Vallarta’s downtown core and the renovation of Isla de Rio Cuale, the club relies on private donations, sponsorships, and volunteers to continue its work. Sunny collaborates with various charitable organizations, including Vallarta Girls School and Vallarta Cares/Food Bank, Rise Orphanage, Mango Library, OPC, and the Red Cross to name a few to beautify and support Puerto Vallarta. Thank you for your support. — Cassandra Shaw, Cassandra Shaw Jewelry
Sunny Rossi, the new President of the Vallarta Garden Club in 2024, has introduced new ideas to raise funds for Vallarta’s beautification. Maintaining the planters and gardens requires both volunteers and funds. This Spring, Sunny started “Sundays with Music” in the gardens on the island to build awareness of the Garden Club. We look forward to exciting improvements under Sunny’s leadership. — Claire Guarniere, Galleria Dante
Thank You to Our Existing Members
We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our existing members. Your dedication, support, and passion for our mission have been instrumental in our success. Thank you for being a vital part of the Vallarta Garden Club family. Together, we will continue to make Vallarta a beautiful and vibrant community.
The Garden Club is a registered non-profit organization in Mexico that’s devoted to enhancing the beauty, appeal and value of Puerto Vallarta through vibrant public landscaping. Annual dues start at $500 pesos for individuals or $750 for couples and are used to support the club’s ongoing efforts to make Vallarta a more beautiful place. For more information, ‘Friend’ us on Facebook or visit vallartagardenclub.com.