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Chanhassen, Minn. (March 11, 2010) - One of the most welcome signs of spring in the Twin Cities is the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum's annual Sugarbush Pancake Brunch on March 27 & 28. That's just the start of a lively, fun-filled season capped by a first-ever Big Build residency with world-famous environmental sculptor Patrick Dougherty. Here's a look at the Arboretum's spring lineup:
Maple Syrup Tours and Sugarbush Pancake Brunch
Saturday & Sunday, March 27 & 28
Brunch: 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Oswald Visitor Center, MacMillan Auditorium; Maple Woods Tours: 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Enjoy the ultimate pancake experience with Arboretum-made maple syrup, all-you-can-eat pancakes topped with butter and chopped pecans, sausage and a beverage. Brunch served to those in line by 1 p.m. Tickets must be purchased at the event; free gate admission for brunch attendees. Adult members and their children ages 8 and older, $9; non-members, $11.50; children ages 4-7, $6; children ages 3 & under, free. Before or after brunch, take a self-guided Maple Syrup Tour from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m to discover how trees are tapped in the Arboretum's Sugarbush (Maple Woods).
Weekend Family Fun
Saturdays & Sundays, noon-4 p.m., Marion Andrus Learning Center
In March, learn all about maple syruping; in April, the topic is bees and blossoms; in May, it's sunflowers! Family-geared crafts and fun on a drop-in basis and free with gate admission.
Spring Equinox Stroll
Saturday, March 20, 10:30 a.m., Meet in Oswald Visitor Center
Celebrate the first day of spring and enjoy a fun stroll with a staff gardener. Members, free; non-members, $5. No reservations required.
Arboretum Outdoors with Hoigaard's - Nordic Walking
Thursday, April 1, 1:30 and 6 p.m. Oswald Visitor Center
Learn Nordic walking techniques from Hoigaard's staff, who will also bring Nordic walking poles for you to try out! Free with gate admission.
Spring Trunk Show II: Transformations by Virgil Leih
March 19-May 2, Oswald Visitor Center, Great Hall
Back by popular demand, it's artisan Virgil Leih's Spring Trunk Show II: Art of Tree Transformations, 20 awesome wood sculptures created from discarded tree trunks. . Leih will lead "meet the artist" tours of the exhibit from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays during the exhibit. All pieces are for sale and a portion of the proceeds benefits the Arboretum.
Flowers Fantastique Exhibit
Now through May 31. Reedy Gallery, Oswald Visitor Center
No matter the weather outside, flowers are blooming in the Reedy Gallery! Check out these watercolors and oils created by 23 talented artists. Informal weekend gallery tours from 1 to 3 p.m. April 10 & 11 and May 22 & 23. All works for sale and a portion of proceeds benefits the Arboretum. "Flowers Fantastique" is a collaboration with Wilcock Gallery of Excelsior.
Easter Bunny Brunch
Sunday, April 4. Seatings: 10, 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Oswald Visitor Center, MacMillan Auditorium,
Enjoy a favorite springtime tradition! Menu includes fresh fruit platter, salads, glazed chicken stirfry, egg bake with asparagus and cheese, spiral honey-glazed ham , desserts, coffee, juice and more! $18.95 for members & children 8 and older ; $21.95 non-members; $8.95 for ages 4-7; free for 3 and younger. Call 612-626-3951 or visit www.arboretum.umn.edu for reservations.
Plantcetera: Get the dirt on growing!
2010 Plant Information Fair
Saturday, April 10, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m , Oswald Visitor Center.
Educational fair featuring 20 plant societies and garden clubs. Plant Stage speakers and specialists will be on hand to answer questions and share information. Plants from the societies and clubs will be for sale. Free with Arboretum admission.
Community Concert
Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies Concert Orchestra
Sunday, April 11, 2-3 p.m., MacMillan Auditorium, Oswald Visitor Center
Sit back and enjoy the wonderful music of this accomplished 85-piece orchestra comprised of high-school musicians. Free with Arboretum admission.
Happy Hour Thursdays
Thursdays, April 15, 22 & 29, 4:30- 6 p.m. Arboretum Restaurant or Newton Terrace
Enjoy specially priced wine sampling and delicious appetizers! Regular priced beers and wines; non-alcoholic beverages. Free gate admission after 4:30 p.m. the third Thursday of the month; 2-for-1 admission Thursdays after 4:30 p.m. April - October.
Welcome Spring Wildflower Walks
Saturdays, April 24, May 1, 15 & 22 10:30 a.m.
The woodlands are "springing to life" in a carpet of wildflowers. Discover what's in bloom on this hourlong ramble with an Arboretum naturalist. Meet in the Ordway Parking Lot. $10 member/$12 non-member. Call 952-443-1422 or visit www.arboretum.umn.edu.
Celebrating Our Roots Hosta & Ornamental Grass Sale
Saturday and Sunday, May 1 & 2; 8 a.m.-5 p.m. both days
Gift Store, Oswald Visitor Center
Hostas and ornamental grasses -- both bare-root varieties & bedding plants in small pots.
New! Mothers and Daughters Tea
Saturday, May 1, 2:30-4 p.m. Tea Room, Snyder Building
Grandmothers, moms and daughters are invited to create a special memory at this festive tea in the Snyder Building Tea Room. Fee: $23-$26. Reserve at: umnarboretum.catertrax.com or 612-626-3951.
Bud Break 5K Run/Walk and Youth Daffodil Dash
Sunday, May 2, start time 9 a.m. run; 10 a.m., Daffodil Dash
The 13th annual 5K run/walk is a certified asphalt course that winds through the Arboretum's scenic spring landscapes, including challenging hills and prairies. Kids ages 5-12 can join in the Youth Daffodil Dash Run/Walk along a 1-mile course through the Dayton Wildflower Garden. $20 members/$25 nono-members/$30 race day includes gate admission and Bud Break t-shirt. For information or registration: visit arboretum.umn.edu/budbreak.aspx or 952-443-1423 or 952-443-1515.
Big Build by Patrick Dougherty
May 3-22
The Arboretum welcomes acclaimed environmental sculptor Patrick Dougherty who will create one of his large-scale environmental sculptures during a three-week residency. Come and watch the magic as the sculpture takes shape during its three-week construction! The sculpture will be officially dedicated on May 22. Also, check out the construction of the Dougherty-inspired "Stickworks Studio" play area near the Marion Andrus Learning Center - for kids of all ages! Big Build is presented by J.P. Morgan.
Arboretum Auxiliary Spring Plant Sale
Saturday & Sunday, May 8 & 9, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Picnic Shelters
It's the Arboretum's annual spring plant sale featuring one of the largest selections of plants, including hard-to-find varieties and University of Minnesota introductions. Plant lists for the 2010 sale will be available in April. Arboretum admission applies.
Mother's Day Brunch
Sunday, May 9, Seatings: 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., & 1:30 p.m.
Oswald Visitor Center MacMillan Auditorium,
Treat Mom to a delicious brunch amid the spring beauty of the Arboretum. Reserve at umnarboretum.catertrax.com or call 612-626-3951.
An Evening with Patrick Dougherty
Thursday, May 13, 6:30-8 p.m. Oswald Visitor Center
Get in on the excitement and meet Patrick Dougherty, the creative force behind the Arboretum's Big Build. Dougherty will present a visual tour of his art installations around the world. $10 member/$20 non-member..
Admission to the Arboretum is $9 for adults, free for ages 15 and under, and free for members. Thursdays 2 for 1 admission after 4:30 p.m., Third Thursday free admission after 4:30 p.m. April -Oct.For more information about events and programs at the Arboretum, visit www.arboretum.umn.edu or call 952-443-1400.
The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, the largest public garden in the Upper Midwest, is part of the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences at the University of Minnesota and developed as a community and national resource for horticultural and environmental information, research, and public education. It is located nine miles west of I-494 on Highway 5 in Chanhassen. The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity employer and educator. The Arboretum is disability accessible & smoke-free.
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