For the past seven years, Jackie Heath has ignored weekend weather forecasts at the beginning of May.

By the first Friday in May, she is worn out from preparing her yard for one of two herb festivals she holds each year.

The first Saturday of every May, she wakes up rejuvenated, she said.

"Everything is fresh and beautiful. The birds are singing and butterflies are everywhere," said Mrs. Heath, of Montmorenci.

Mrs. Heath, who has been growing herbs for about 20 years, and her friend, Ginny Sherman, of Aiken, started the festival in 1999 with eight vendors.

This year they will have 25 vendors.

"We try to keep everybody local," Mrs. Heath said. "(Almost) everything is handmade."

The vendors' wares include herbs, gourd art, candles, jewelry, perennials, hanging baskets, herbal honey, herbal soaps made from Jersey milk, pine needle baskets, antiques and antique garden tools.

The Aiken High School Future Farmers of America sells a wide variety of plants each year.

No one leaves hungry, either.

Mennonite vendors sell freshly baked goods.

In addition, Mrs. Heath's grandson, Scott Jones, fires up his grill to cook hamburgers, hot dogs and chili.

"People spread blankets under the trees and have picnics," Mrs. Heath said.

She said none of the vendors sell the same merchandise.

"Even though we have four plant vendors, they're all different," Mrs. Heath said. "They complement each other."

She said they are expecting about 500 people to attend the festival.

"This is what it's all about - sharing what you have with somebody else," Mrs. Heath said.

Reach Betsy Gilliland at (803) 648-1395, ext. 113, or betsy.gilliland@augustachronicle.com.