Join the Greater Topsail Community Garden’s Rocco the Rock Snake project, a fun art initiative debuting at the Holly Ridge Bee Festival on April 26, 2025.
The Greater Topsail Community Garden is excited to introduce its newest initiative, Rocco the Rock Snake, a vibrant and interactive community art project designed to celebrate creativity and connection. This unique installation invites residents of all ages to join in by painting rocks that will form Rocco’s colorful, winding body.
Join the Fun at the Holly Ridge Bee Festival!
Rocco’s journey kicks off at the Holly Ridge Bee Festival on Saturday, April 26, 2025. Visitors can stop by the Greater Topsail Community Garden booth to paint a rock and contribute to this growing community masterpiece. After the event, each hand-painted rock will be added to Rocco’s “body,” creating a dynamic and ever-evolving public art installation in the garden.
“Rocco is more than just a rock snake—he’s a community story in motion,” said Cathi Litcher, Community Liaison and Garden Coordinator for the Greater Topsail Community Garden. “Every painted rock represents someone who showed up to be part of something bigger—and that’s exactly how our garden grows.”
A Community Effort Rooted in Generosity
The rocks for this initiative were generously donated by Atlantic Mulch and Stone of Holly Ridge, NC, a devoted partner of the Greater Topsail Community Garden. This partnership dates back to the garden’s inception in 2023, when Atlantic Mulch and Stone contributed the nutrient-rich topsoil that filled the first raised beds. Their ongoing support has been instrumental in making projects like Rocco possible, helping the garden thrive.
Growing More Than Just Crops
Rocco the Rock Snake is a reflection of the garden’s mission to foster connection through service and sustainability. In 2024, during its first full growing season, the garden made a remarkable impact by completing 55 harvests and donating 2,821 pounds of fresh produce and herbs to Share the Table, a nonprofit dedicated to addressing food insecurity in Pender and Onslow Counties. The donated produce, valued at nearly $24,000, supports the Expanding Healthy Choices Program, which provides nutritious food to families in need.
“This garden represents intergenerational leadership at its best,” Litcher added. “We’re cultivating not only crops—but creativity, collaboration, and compassion.”
How to Get Involved
• Paint a Rock for Rocco
When: Saturday, April 26, 2025
Where: Holly Ridge Bee Festival – Greater Topsail Community Garden Booth
Who: Open to all ages, no experience necessary
Volunteering opportunities are also available every Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Whether you enjoy gardening or prefer other tasks, there’s a role for everyone. As a bonus, all volunteers are invited to paint a rock for Rocco, adding their personal touch to this growing community story.
About the Greater Topsail Community Garden
Founded in 2022 through a partnership between the Kiwanis Club of Topsail Island and Surf City Rotary, the Greater Topsail Community Garden spans one acre of community-supported land. The garden operates entirely with the help of volunteers, donating all produce to Share the Table. With over 2,000 volunteer hours logged in 2024 and collaborations with more than 85 organizations, the garden is a shining example of sustainable food access, education, and community engagement.
Be part of something truly special and help Rocco the Rock Snake grow! Whether you paint a rock, volunteer your time, or simply visit the garden, your involvement makes a difference.
For more information, visit the Greater Topsail Community Garden booth at the Holly Ridge Bee Festival or contact them directly to learn how you can support this inspiring initiative.
