“Trowels and Treasures,” the event on Sunday, April 28, in support of the Port Townsend “Magic of Christmas,” has grown significantly this year, from its lone building at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds last year to three buildings at the fairgrounds this year.

Ted and Linda Krysinski were named “Everyday Heroes” by the Port Townsend Kiwanis last month for starting the “Magic of Christmas” program in December of 2022, followed by the nonprofit “Smiles Under the Tree” in early 2023.

Melanie Bozak, the Past Pacific Northwest District Governor of Kiwanis, who presented the Krysinskis with those awards, serves as the treasurer of “Smiles Under the Tree,” which supports the “Magic of Christmas” and other programs benefiting Jefferson County youth.

“We’d like to expand into educational programs, with an emphasis on supporting youth in pursuing practical arts, crafts and vocational trades,” Bozak said. “Perhaps not necessarily the performing arts, but in a theater production, they’d be able to handle the lighting and other electrical work, or the graphic design elements.”

Bozak pointed out that Ted Krysinski is also the owner of Fyerlite Grip and Lighting in Port Townsend, which works with the Port Townsend Film Festival on its event lighting each year.

Bozak explained that the “Trowels and Treasures” garden art expo not only helps raise funds for the “Magic of Christmas,” but it also features an assortment of vendors to shop from, free presentations and demonstrations to attend, and free “mini-classes” for all ages, as well as raffles, plant swaps and adoptions, tool exchanges and live storytimes for kids, running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. that Sunday.

The fairgrounds’ horticulture building will house “Reworks of Art,” from local artisans and craftspeople selling their wares — whether new or re-used, repurposed, recycled or “up-cycled” — for one’s home or garden.

Meanwhile, the old commercial building will host “Eco-Enthusiasts,” covering any number of combinations of tools and plants, including a “tool cafe” offering a library and repairs, as well as baby goats and the aforementioned mini-classes.

Bozak was pleased to report that, as of April 13, all the mini-classes have been sponsored, so they’re all free now, with no reservations required.

“Please note, though, that these are all first-come, first-served classes, with limited seating,” Bozak said. “Some, but not all, of the classes are available more than once that day, if you miss the first one, or if it’s filled up.”

Classes include “Owls Rock” from 10-10:30 a.m. for ages 5 and up, devoted to making owls from found objects; “Grow, Baby, Grow” from 10:45-11:15 a.m. and 3:30-4 p.m. for ages 3-10, to decorate planter pots and plant seeds; and “Trashy Totes” from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and 2:30-3:15 p.m. for ages 5 and up, to make tote bags from discarded items.

Afternoon classes, all for ages 5 and up, include “Blowin’ in the Wind” from 12:30-1 p.m., to make wind chimes for your yard; “Home Tweet Home” from 1:15-2 p.m., to build and decorate birdhouses; and “Have a Cup-o-Cheer” from 2:15-2:45 p.m., to learn how to grow succulents in a reclaimed mug.

And the 4-H building will provide “Green Education,” with demonstrations and presentations courtesy of the 4-H club and a number of local businesses.

For more information find “Trowels & Treasures” on Facebook, or visit the “Smiles Under the Tree” at smilesunderthetree.org.