In addition to Sunday, June 19, being Father’s Day, it’s also going to be Juneteenth. So, the Dallas Arboretum will provide loads of activities and special offerings to celebrate the two occasions ranging from things to do to things to sit back and enjoy starting Saturday, June 18, to Monday, June 20.
It’s going to be such a festive occasion that even the Dallas Blooms ginormous floral peacocks have extended their roost in the garden.
Warning: Advanced timed tickets are required for entry to the Arboretum. They can be had by either going online here or calling 214.515.6615. Procrastination can be a deal killer, so check over the activities and get your reservations locked in.
Highlights of the three-day, dual celebrations include the following:
Rory Meyer Children’s Adventure Garden
- Thanks to the Kelley family, admission to the Rory Meyer Children’s Adventure Garden will be free with paid general admission. That’s a saving of $3 per person!
- Saturday thru Monday — Youngsters can be part of the Walne Family Discover Lab at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
- Sunday — Kids will be able to “create a unique, torn paperwork of art.” From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. they can go on “The Hunt for Animal Dads” scavenger hunt.
Pictures Worth Millions of Words
- Documentarian/photographer Don Tortellini’s “Faces of Dallas” showcasing the homeless experience in Dallas and “The Village” series “preserving the people, culture and history of an underserved and often underrepresented community” will be on display in the DeGolyer House. From 1 to 3 p.m. on Sunday, there will be a meet-and-greet reception with Don. The exhibition will continue through Sunday, July 24.
- Inspired by the Dallas Blooms’ Birds of Paradise, local artists Alli Koch, MOM, Will Heron and Favio Moreno will show their true artistic colors with murals throughout.
The Sounds Of Music
- Saturday
- 10 a.m. to noon — Violinist Ciana Rosenblad will perform in picnic-friendly Pecan Grove
- Noon to 2 p.m. — Pianist Jim Sharples will play in the shady Jeanne’s Pavilion.
- 2 to 4 p.m. — Rockin’ soul Charming Gardeners will perform at the Martin Rutchik Concert Stage and Lawn
- Sunday
- 10 a.m. to noon — Violinist Alex Williams will perform in Pecan Grove
- Noon to 2 p.m. — Pianist Rebecca Cordes will play in Jeanne’s Pavilion
- 2 to 4 p.m. — Big Band will be performing jazz at the Martin Rutchik Concert Stage and Lawn
- Monday
- 10 to noon — Guitarist Christian Levens will perform in Pecan Grove
- 2 to 4 p.m. — Multi-talented musician Tom Sullinger will perform jazz hits at Martin Rutchik Concert Stage and Lawn
Talk To The Animals
- Saturday
- From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Country Critters Petting Zoo will be looking for a friendly pat and stroke at DeGolyer Crossroads.
- At 10:30, the Dallas Zoo ambassadors — birds, reptiles and mammals — will be on a sort of 45-minute cultural exchange program on Martin Rutchik Concert Stage and Lawn.
- From noon to 2 p.m. in the Jonsson Color Garden there will be a two-hour meet-and-greet with Window To The Wild birds and trainers.
- Sunday
- From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Country Critters Petting Zoo will return to DeGolyer Crossroads for more pets.
- At 10:30 a.m. Window to the Wild Bird Show will take to the sky at the Martin Rutchik Concert Stage and Lawn.
- Monday
- From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Country Critters Petting Zoo will be back at DeGolyer Crossroads.
Tastebud Friendly
- Saturday
- Noon to 2 p.m. — Twisted 3D Cuisines’ Chef Jamaal Johnson will hold an “International Cooking Class featuring the making of The King’s Snack Mix, Jerk Steak Stuffed Sweet Potatoes, BLT Pasta Salad and Peach Cobbler Salsa” in A Tasteful Place Cooking Pavilion. Fees range from $69 for adult members to $79 adult guests.
- 2 to 4 p.m. — Hidden Hangar is holding a wine tasting at Three Sisters Overlook
- Sunday
- 2 to 4 p.m. — San Juan Seltzers tasting will take place at Three Sisters Overlook
- Monday
- 11 a.m. — Dallas College Cooks will hold chef demonstrations at A Tasteful Place
- Saturday — Monday
- 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Luca and Livvy Nitro Pressed Juices
Pop-Up Shopping
- Saturday and Sunday (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
- Dallas artist Kella Carlton will be at the Main Entry Plaza doing demonstrations and have her “handmade teacup bird feeders, teapot birdhouses and decorative birdbaths” available for purchase.
- Lil’ Red Flower Truck will have flowers for sale to take home (plus Monday).
* Photo provided by Dallas Arboretum