577’s Annual Plant Sale: Opening Weekend Celebration
577’s Annual Plant Sale returns Saturday, May 2, and Sunday, May 3, from 9am to 5pm, inviting gardeners of all experience levels to welcome the growing season.
Held in the Courtyard next to the Welcome Center & Curiosity Shop, this popular spring event features a vibrant selection of organically grown vegetables, herbs, and annual and native flowers, all cultivated by 577’s organic horticulture team.
From classic garden favorites to unique varieties, our plants are grown with care and ready to thrive in your home garden. The sale takes place rain or shine, and plants are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Quantities are limited, and many varieties sell out quickly.
If plants remain after the first weekend, they will be available for purchase during Welcome Center & Curiosity Shop open hours, Monday through Saturday, 9am to 5pm.
Click the link to preview this year’s plant varieties
Proceeds from plant sales support 577’s programs, gardens, and community initiatives, helping sustain the spaces and experiences enjoyed by visitors year-round.
Tea for Two: A Morning of Tea, History, and Connection
Saturday, May 9 ~ 10am to 12pm
Step into the charm of a spring morning at 577 and join us for a special fundraising experience to share with a friend or loved one.
Hosted inside Virginia’s House, this experience invites guests to gather as Virginia once did, sharing tea, conversation, and the beauty of the Maumee River just beyond the windows. Enjoy a thoughtfully prepared assortment of teas, tea sandwiches, and desserts while learning from Karla Militello of The Summer Kitchen.
Through her engaging talk, you’ll explore the fascinating world of tea—from the origins of tea and the traditions of early gatherings to the nuances between low tea and high tea. You’ll also discover the differences between grocery store bagged teas and premium loose-leaf varieties, along with the unique characteristics of black, green, and white teas, as well as herbal and fruit tisanes and rooibos. Along the way, you’ll gain practical tips on proper storage and the secrets to brewing the perfect cup to enjoy at home.
The morning will also include a special welcome and remarks from Executive Director Heather Gallant.
Each guest will enjoy a thoughtfully prepared tea service with teas, tea sandwiches, and desserts, take part in a guided conversation on tea history, etiquette, and brewing techniques, and leave with a handcrafted, nature-inspired teabag or spoon rest created in the 577 Pottery Studio. There will also be time to relax, connect, and enjoy the experience together, with the option to explore the gardens and grounds following the program.
Held during Mother’s Day weekend, this is a lovely opportunity to slow down, connect, and share a meaningful experience with someone special. By joining us, you’re helping support 577’s mission to build a creative, caring community through curiosity and lifelong learning.
Preregistration is required, and space is limited to 15 pairs (30 guests total). Tickets are sold in pairs to encourage a shared experience, and the event is open to ages 16 and up.
Storytime at 577
Monday, May 11 ~ 10:30am & 11am*
Storytime at 577 continues this spring, and we’d love for you to join us! In April, we’ll gather inside Virginia’s House for a cozy storytime, and as the weather warms in May, we’ll begin moving outdoors to the Outdoor Stage.
We’ll share stories, sing a few songs, and enjoy a little seasonal magic together.
Storytime is free and open to all, best suited for ages 2 to 6, though siblings of any age are always welcome. No registration is needed, just come and join the fun. Each session is limited to 15 children, so please arrive on time to help ensure space for all.
Looking ahead, our weekly summer Storytimes will begin in June, with the first session on Wednesday, June 3.
*As we move through the spring season, please check for the most current Storytime location details and any weather-related updates.
Annual special events include April’s Earth Month Celebration, May’s Plant Sale featuring tomatoes, veggies, native plants, and the Music in the Gardens series beginning in June. Plus, be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook for pop-up special events in the Gardens and Curiosity Shop.
Events are free, family-friendly, and open to all!
Mark Your Calendar: 2026 Special Events
Music in the Gardens
Plant Sale
Joy & Light
Go Green Day
Live Music Blooms at 577!
Music in the Gardens is back at 577 this summer. Beginning in June, the gardens come alive with live music on the second Saturday of each month, June through September, offering a relaxed soundtrack for a day spent outdoors. Wander the paths, pause under the trees, or settle in for a bit as music becomes part of the backdrop to your visit.
These concerts are free, family-friendly, and take place rain or shine, inviting the community to slow down and enjoy 577 in a different way. Experience the beauty of the gardens and Virginia’s House beyond classes and meetings, with space to listen, explore, and spend time together in a creative, welcoming setting.
Saturday, June 13
- 11am – 1pm: Urban Jazz Collective (Jazz, Blues)
- 1pm – 2pm: Sylvania Northview Tri-M (Classical, Pop)
- 2pm – 4pm: Birds of a Feather Sing Together (Jazz, Big Band, Easy Listening)
Saturday, July 11
- 11am – 1pm: Music by BLISS (Eclectic, Folk, Americana, Blues)
- 1pm – 2pm: Pride of Toledo Chorus
- 2pm – 4pm: Quick Trio (Jazz)
Saturday, August 8
- 11am – 1pm: Alizabeth Nowland (Harpist)
- 1pm – 2pm: Sylvania Northview Tri-M (Classical, Pop)
- 2pm – 4pm: Arsenio Rodrigues (Classic Rock, Country)
Saturday, September 12
- 11am – 1pm: Jeff Tucker (Singer-Songwriter)
- 1pm – 2pm: Sylvania Northview Tri-M (Classical, Pop)
- 2pm – 4pm: EZ PICKENZ (Classic Rock, Country)
Special thanks to Hartmann • Bogan Financial Planning for sponsoring Music in the Gardens 2026. Their generous support helps make this free, family-friendly series possible for our community to enjoy all season long.
Annual Spring Plant Sale
577’s Annual Plant Sale returns Saturday, May 2, and Sunday, May 3, from 9am to 5pm, inviting gardeners of all experience levels to welcome the growing season. Held in the Courtyard next to the Welcome Center & Curiosity Shop, this popular spring event features a vibrant selection of organically grown vegetables, herbs, and annual and native flowers, all cultivated by 577’s organic horticulture team.
From classic garden favorites to unique varieties, our plants are grown with care and ready to thrive in your home garden. The sale takes place rain or shine, and plants are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Quantities are limited, and many varieties sell out quickly.
If plants remain after the first weekend, they will be available for purchase during Welcome Center & Curiosity Shop open hours, Monday through Saturday, 9am to 5pm.
Click the link to preview this year’s plant varieties
Proceeds from plant sales support 577’s programs, gardens, and community initiatives, helping sustain the spaces and experiences enjoyed by visitors year-round.
Joy & Light: A Celebration of Art, Music, & Community
What a truly beautiful first year for Joy & Light: A Celebration of Art, Music, & Community.
Thank you to everyone who joined us yesterday and helped fill 577 with warmth, creativity, and connection. Seeing friends, families, neighbors, and new visitors come together made this event everything we hoped it would be.
We’re gathering all of the beautiful cards you created for the kids at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Toledo and will be delivering them soon. Your kindness will brighten so many little hearts this season.
A special thank-you to the talented musicians from Northview Tri-M Music Honor Society and to harpist Rebecca Swett for filling Virginia’s House with such gorgeous music.
And heartfelt thanks to our wonderful volunteers — Pat S. and the members of Alpha Phi Omega from the University of Toledo — for giving their time, energy, and kindness to help make the day run smoothly.
We are so grateful to this community. Thank you for helping us celebrate the season with joy and light.
Save the Date: Saturday, December 5!
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US!
What a day! Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate Go Green Day with us at 577. It was so special to see the grounds filled with people exploring, creating, and connecting.
Go Green Day is a free community event celebrating sustainability with hands-on activities, garden discoveries, and creative experiences for all ages. Whether you’re planting seeds, getting crafty, or exploring the natural world, it’s a fun and engaging way to connect with nature and your community.
Go Green Day is a free event. Rain or shine.
Celebrate Earth Month with 577 in April!
Virginia Secor Stranahan envisioned 577 as a place where people would “learn to love the land.” While the world celebrates Earth Day on April 22, here we honor it every day.
Join us in April, as we highlight the many ways we can all make small changes that make a big impact in protecting the planet. By taking action and working together, we can help ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.
Sustainability and the environment are one of 577’s key pillars. During April, many of our classes are tailored towards keeping our planet green, reusing and repurposing, and exploring new ways of loving the environment around us. Through sustainable art, and learning about & implementing greener practices, we can lead by example and inspire others to make the change(s) too.
Become a 2026 Event Sponsor
Help make next year’s signature gatherings even more memorable. In 2026, 577 will host Go Green Day on Saturday, April 25—a full day of hands-on eco activities, family fun, and community action focused on sustainability and conservation—and the beloved Music in the Gardens summer concert series, which fills the gardens with live music and connection all summer long.
Event sponsorship provides meaningful community visibility and a custom package of promotional benefits while directly supporting free, high-quality programming for visitors of all ages.
If you are interested in becoming an Organizational Sponsor to support 577’s mission year-round, or would like to learn more about 2026 event sponsorship opportunities and benefits, please contact Kelly Hirsh, Assistant Director of Administrative Operations, at 419-874-4174 or khirsh@577foundation.org.