The Olde Allegheny Community Gardens are teaming up with Randy Gilson for
the first ever Randyland Celebration on August 28. Guests can enjoy a
diverse range of cuisine made with food grown a block away by the 30
community gardeners, including homemade mozzarella, fresh honey, locally caught fish, and eggs from actual Northside chickens. Local
wines from Carlo's Garage Winery and house-made
sausage provided by Right by Nature will also be available.
Since 1996, Gilson's incredible
Northside DIY dream home on Jacksonia Street, christened
Randyland,
has been catching the attention of national media and passersby for its
vibrant pastel colors, murals, handmade art, and topiaries. In addition
to being the architect to his personal vision, Gilson had a key role in
shaping the nearby community gardens throughout the 80's and 90's,
which feature 40 plots growing food and flowers. While Gilson has
proudly shown off his home to the press, the Randyland Celebration marks
his first invitation to the public to gather in the fruit of his labor.
"There's going to be food served buffet style,
and other food served on trays by the garden chef of the day, and there
will be recognition of the people working on the Northside's green
spaces," says Olde Allegheny Community Gardens co-coordinator Jana
Thompson. "There's also going to be a Chinese silent auction."
The Randyland Celebration occurs Saturday, August
28 at 6 p.m. at Randlyland, on the corner of Jacksonia and Arch
Streets. Admission is $15 at the door, or $12 in advance. Admission is
free to children under 16. To purchase tickets, email
kniess1@comcast.net.
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Source: Jana
Thompson, Olde Allegheny Community Gardens
Writer:
John FarleyPhotograph copyright John Farley