According to Dallas Arboretum volunteers and Autumn at the Arboretum Co-Chairs Judy and Greg Sosbee,
“We invite you to join us at the most spectacular pumpkin show in Dallas—Autumn at the Arboretum, presented by Reliant. This year’s fun theme is “Bugtopia,” and the festival runs Saturday, September 18, to Sunday, October 31. The 16th annual fall festival features the nationally acclaimed Pumpkin Village with 20-foot-tall, decorated pumpkin houses created with more than 90,000 pumpkins, gourds and squash from the West Texas town of Floydada, which is nicknamed “the pumpkin capital of Texas.”
“Autumn at the Arboretum comes alive with larger-than-life insect topiaries, fascinatingly bugged-out pumpkin houses, a maze for younger visitors and even an 18-foot-long dragonfly.
“For those needing a break from the summer, Autumn at the Arboretum features breathtaking colors of fall with 150,000 fall flowers—marigolds, chrysanthemums and more throughout the 66-acre garden.
“Here are a few highlights of the festival:
- “Local popular bands play live music every weekend afternoon during the festival.
- “Seasonal daily samples highlight in-season plants in A Tasteful Place garden.
- “Insect Encounters tent features daily, hands-on experiences such as live insect demonstrations, nature art, expert chats and more.
- “Mommy and Me Mondays and Tiny Tot Tuesdays, presented by Kimberly-Clark, includes face painting, stroller fitness, a petting zoo, Kindermusik, a hay bale maze, a pumpkin patch with pumpkins for purchase and music.
- “On Family Fun Weekend, October 9-10, and on ‘Halloweekend,’ October 30-31, the festival also includes a petting zoo and face painting for children.
- “Arboretum-led walking tours, harvesting and horticulture demonstrations round out the festival.
“Guests can also visit A Tasteful Place, a 3.5-acre food, herb and vegetable garden. Weekly activities include free Monday cooking demonstrations with Dallas College Cooks along with activities throughout the week including cooking, floral and horticulture demonstrations, many of which have the “bugtopia” theme incorporated.
“In addition to Reliant as the presenting sponsor, other sponsors include Park Place Dealerships, Texas Instruments, Oncor, Kimberly-Clark, C.C. Young Senior Living, Doyle and Associates, Sidley Austin and Bank of Texas.
“Finally, check the website, dallasarboretum.org, and social media for up-to-date information, and we can’t wait to see you in the garden!”
* Graphic/photo provided by Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
