SAINT JOHN, N.B.- It’s the 15th anniversary of an event that involves students in Greater Saint John and other parts of New Brunswick in an effort to beautify the area.

The official kickoff to Marigolds on Main Street is today with more than 40-thousand marigolds being planted today on the north end street.

Niki Jabbour, host of The Weekend Gardener on News 88.9, was the emcee of this year’s event. “It’s so important to get the kids involved so they actually learn what it’s like to plant something and cultivate the earth and it’s a great experience for them”, says Jabbour. “Of course it ends up beautifying the city as well which is fantastic”.

The marigold project begins each year in school with students planting seeds in their classrooms as part of their science curriculum.

Jabbour says marigolds are a great choice because they can handle tough weather conditions and will continue to bloom until the first frost.