Fall in Full Bloom: Master Gardeners Bring Autumn Charm to Downtown Centre
Centre-On Wednesday morning in Centre, Alabama, the Cherokee County Master Gardeners were out in force, trowels in hand and smiles on their faces. With the hum of traffic as their backdrop and the weekend’s anticipation in the air, the group busied themselves planting mums and other seasonal flowers along Main Street.
The transformation was immediate. What once were simple pots now burst with fiery oranges, deep burgundies, and golden yellows—the colors of autumn announcing themselves just in time for Centre’s annual Fall Festival.
A Tradition of Beautification
For the Master Gardeners, this is more than just planting flowers—it’s about nurturing community pride. Each year, the city provides the plants, and the volunteers provide the sweat equity. “It’s something we look forward to,” one gardener said. “By the time the festival begins, downtown is dressed in its autumn best.”
The results speak for themselves. The new plantings brighten sidewalks and storefronts, offering residents and visitors alike a place to slow down, breathe, and savor the season.
Rooted in Service
The Cherokee County Master Gardeners are part of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, a program built on education and service. As Extension-trained volunteers, their mission is twofold: to share horticultural knowledge with the community and to help bring the land-grant university’s resources into the everyday lives of Alabamians.
The group embraces the words of the Extension Creed: “I believe in people and their hopes, their aspirations and their faith…” It’s a philosophy you can see firsthand in the joy and dedication poured into projects like this.
Festival Fun Awaits
The timing couldn’t be better. On Saturday, October 4, downtown Centre will come alive with the sights and sounds of the annual Fall Festival. Beginning at 8 a.m., the celebration will feature a lively parade, over 160 vendors, children’s activities, shopping, food trucks, and live music—all set against the colorful backdrop created by the Master Gardeners’ handiwork.
So, if you find yourself in Cherokee County this weekend, take a stroll downtown. Pause to admire the mums glowing in their pots, and appreciate the care that went into every bloom. Because in Centre, fall isn’t just a season—it’s a celebration of community, color, and Southern hospitality in full flower.
