SPRING TO IT! Dahlia Tuber Exchange
What is the Dahlia Tuber Exchange?
A small, in-person event for mid-Michigan Dahlia growers. The Dahlia Tuber Exchange is a grower-only, trade-focused event designed to help dahlia growers share varieties, strengthen local growing communities, and prepare for the upcoming season. This is a trade-only event. No sales are allowed.
The exchange is centered on fair trading, collaboration, and community, offering a structured yet flexible way for dahlia growers to connect and diversify their collections.
What This Is
- A grower-only dahlia tuber exchange
- A trade-focused, one-for-one (1 tuber : 1 tuber) event
- A structured exchange with advance matching based on submitted “haves” and “wants”
- An opportunity to network, share varieties, and build community with fellow dahlia growers
- A facilitated process, organized by Allegory Market to support fair and efficient trades
What This Is NOT
- A sales event or marketplace
- A valuation or pricing service for dahlia tubers
- A guarantee of specific varieties or outcomes
- A brokered or enforced trading system
- An open or public event
How Will It Work?
Approved participants submit lists of their dahlia tuber “haves” and “wants” in advance. Allegory Market uses this information to facilitate one-for-one matchups between growers. Participants receive their matches prior to the event so they can pull, label, and pack their tubers ahead of time.
On exchange day, growers complete their matched trades and have time to network and make additional voluntary trades with one another.
What is Allegory Market's role?
Allegory Market serves as the organizer and facilitator of the Spring To It! Dahlia Tuber Exchange. Our role is to:
- Design and manage the exchange structure and rules
- Collect participant “haves” and “wants” through a follow-up form
- Use a matching system to pair growers for one-for-one tuber exchanges
- Publish participant lists and match information in advance so growers can prepare their tubers
- Provide the venue, schedule, and event-day coordination
Allegory Market does not set values, determine market rates, or broker final trades. All trades are completed voluntarily between participating growers, and the final decision to exchange tubers rests solely with the participants. The exchange is intended to be a collaborative, community-driven experience that supports local dahlia growers, encourages variety sharing, and builds lasting connections within the growing community.
What is Your Role as a Participant?
Participants are responsible for the preparation, evaluation, and completion of all trades at the Spring To It! Dahlia Tuber Exchange. Participant responsibilities include:
- Submitting accurate and complete lists of dahlia tuber “haves” and “wants” by the stated deadline
- Reviewing assigned matches prior to the event
- Pulling, labeling, and packing tubers in advance of the exchange
- Ensuring tubers are healthy, viable, and clearly labeled
- Communicating directly and respectfully with fellow growers to finalize exchanges
- Participating in the exchange in good faith and in the spirit of community collaboration
- Understand that Allegory Market facilitates matches only and does not determine value or guarantee trades
- Understand that final trade decisions rest solely with the participating growers
- Understand that additional trades beyond matched exchanges are optional and arranged directly between participants
MOMS & MIMOSAS: Mother's Day Market
What is the Mother's Day Market?
A festive outdoor spring market celebrating moms, makers, gardeners, and local small businesses—just in time for Mother’s Day.
This collaborative event brings together:
- Arts & crafts vendors curated by Moms & Mimosas
- Garden-focused vendors curated by Allegory Market
What Shoppers Can Expect:
- Handmade arts & crafts
- Garden plants and seedlings
- Dahlia tubers and bulbs
- Garden-related products and gifts for gardeners
Garden Vendors (Managed by Allegory Market)
- Outdoor spaces only (rain or shine)
- Allegory Market Vendor will placed on patio or on "tent row" on the lawn
- Applications processed through Eventeny only
Arts & Crafts Vendors (Managed by Moms & Mimosas)
- Indoor tables available (inside Event Center building)
- Outdoor spaces available along fence line (vendors provide own tent)
- Applications processed through Moms & Mimosas only
Event Highlights
- FREE public admission
- Outdoor market atmosphere
- Unique Mother's Day gifts
- Local artists, makers, growers, & garden vendors
- Rain or shine
- Discounted Mimosas and snacks in bar & grill
ALLEGORY MARKET MIX - What We Do
Event Planning & Community Gatherings
Allegory Market brings a touch of handcrafted magic to every event we plan—whether it’s a neighborhood festival, indie maker fair, seasonal market, or niche conference. We partner closely with your organization to shape gatherings that feel meaningful, memorable, and full of heart. From logistics and vendor coordination to layout design and day-of support, we handle the behind-the-scenes so your story shines front and center.
Workshops, Training & Creative Conferences
Calling all makers, growers, and dream-builders—Allegory Market helps bring your ideas to life with workshops, trainings, and small-scale gatherings crafted just for your community. Whether you’re teaching a hands-on skill, hosting a storytelling circle, or sharing knowledge at a micro-conference, we’ll handle the details—from planning and promotion to setting the scene with heart and intention. Because your work deserves a space that feels inspiring, welcoming, and just a little bit enchanted.
Niche Market and Pop-Up Shops
Event Decor & Storybook Moments
Looking to add something unique to your festival, conference, or community event? Allegory Market specializes in organizing small, curated pop-up markets that shine a spotlight on local growers, writers, artists, and makers. We handle the details—from vendor coordination to booth setup—so you can offer attendees a vibrant space to shop handmade goods, discover indie talent, and connect with creative small businesses. It’s a market with heart, made for communities that value craft, creativity, and connection.
Event Decor & Storybook Moments
How Allegory Market is Different
Event Decor & Storybook Moments
Allegory Market helps illustrate your storybook life moments with thoughtful decorating services for small celebrations. From birthdays, baby showers, and graduations to anniversaries and romantic surprises, we style the decor to turn your vision into that magical moment.
Services include photo backdrops (with or without balloons), gift and dessert table styling, fresh flower centerpieces, and even hotel room setups for proposals or special nights. Simple, meaningful touches—so you can stay present in the moment.
How Allegory Market is Different
How Allegory Market is Different
How Allegory Market is Different
We shine a light on the makers, growers, and creatives who don’t always fit into the big-box craft fair scene. The basement inventor, the backyard flower farmer, the artist with a bold voice and a handmade hustle—these are our people. Allegory Market events are crafted with care for the dreamers and doers often overlooked by traditional shows.
We're proudly niche, a little offbeat, and always passionate about creating spaces where original talent gets seen, stories get shared, and communities grow—one meaningful connection at a time.
Why Choose Allegory Market?
How Allegory Market is Different
How Allegory Market is Different
With nearly 30 years of event expertise and an MBA in Organizational Leadership, our founder brings corporate-level precision to community-driven gatherings.
Allegory Market combines professional planning with a passion for showcasing makers, growers, and creatives—turning every event into a meaningful story.
Experience meets imagination.