Judging solely by the hundreds of vehicles parked at Westminster Reformed Presbyterian Church over the weekend — not to mention the great support and rave reviews — the third Suffolk Earth and Arts Festival was a great success.

This event has grown each year, and this year saw about 75 vendors participating, plus live music, food and kids’ activities.

Visitors to the festival got the chance to peruse wares from local artisans selling pottery, textiles, jewelry, art and other creations, plus the wide variety of plants on sale from the Master Gardeners.

Entertainment included gospel music, St. Julien’s Creek Revival and Fox and the Bear. Local wildlife rehabilitator Tommy White of Alton’s Keep gave an informative presentation with a live owl as sidekick.

Folks who came to the festival got the chance to learn more about how they can protect the environment and maybe even purchase some goods that will help them do so. Cloth diapers and locally, sustainably raised meats were among the many things featured.

We’re in a time period where many people are realizing the impact humans have on the environment and are looking for ways they can make their lives more sustainable, whether it’s choosing local foods, switching to cloth diapers or any of a number of other seemingly small choices that can have a big impact.

We’re pleased this well run, local event is growing in our city and helping to bring that education to many local citizens — and provide a fun, family-friendly event, to boot.

This festival says it celebrates “local makers, music, growers and artisans,” and it seems to be doing a great job. The event was blessed with great weather this year — save for lots of wind, which seems to have been the only complaint — and we expect next year’s event to be even bigger and better.