Westminster will be blooming with flowers, plants, herbs and more as the 21st annual Flower and Jazz Festival takes root on May 9.

Since its beginnings, the street festival has been geared toward celebrating moms and spring, with both local and out-of-state vendors featuring not only plants and flowers, but jewelry and crafts, too.

There will even be three chiropractors participating, reports Jennifer Mellor, program director for the city.

"It's a laid-back kind of day," Mellor said, of the free event. "Flowers and moms and jazz -- it works."

For mom's little ones, Safe Kids, a worldwide network, will feature 15 booths promoting safety, according to Maggie Rauser, Safe Kids' Carroll County director. The booths feature information from nonprofit organizations such as the fire department, the YMCA, the 911 center and the department of Natural Resources, and will feature various hands-on and interactive activities for children.

"It is very fun," Rauser said of the Safe Kids area, which has been a part of the festival for the past four years. "We'll see a couple hundred kids if it is a nice day. It's good exposure."

Rauser is grateful that the festival includes them.

"We're just there as a nonprofit," she said. "We're very lucky to be a part of it."

Jazz has always been an important part of the festival, and this year there will be three stages of entertainment -- Westminster Public Library's lawn; at Longwell Avenue and E. Main Street, and at the parking lot of American Appraiser.

Local school jazz bands and a group from Carroll Lutheran Village are scheduled to appear.

The festival will go on rain or shine, Mellor said, though she hopes there will be only sunshine.

"Last year it rained cats and dogs in the morning," Mellor said. "By 11 a.m. it was beautiful, but there were a lot of holes from vendors who didn't participate."

All moms are invited to receive a free gift, Mellor added.

"All moms get a free plant," she said. "Moms can come and get their plants at the information booth smack dab in the middle."

If you go

What: Westminster's 21st annual Flower and Jazz Festival, featuring plant sales, artists and crafts and music, with three stages along Main Street.

When: Saturday, May 9, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Where: Main Street, Downtown Westminster, from Longwell Avenue to Railroad Avenue.

Contact: Jennifer Mellor at 410-848-4883.

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