Autumn-Matic Fun at Arboretum Festival

Taffy Apples, Creatively-Decorated Scarecrows, Theatre-Hikes and Much More

LISLE, IL (September 26, 2008) – Move over, McCain! Out of the way, Obama!

Visitors will start voting tomorrow for “Hannah Plantanah,” “Elvis Parsley,” “Phantom of the Arboretum,” and others. They’re among the 35 creative, cleverly-decorated, nature-themed scarecrows vying to be chosen as the best on the “Scarecrow Trail” at The Morton Arboretum. The amazing scarecrow display is part of the Arboretum’s annual Fall Color Festival, September 27–October 26. (See full schedule at end of this release)

From pumpkins, gourds and scarecrows, to taffy apples, brats, chicken and roasted corn, to flower shows, wood carvings, garden accents, a special visit from a children’s book illustrator, and even Dracula (the show), there’s no shortage of things to see, do, and taste in the Arboretum fall classic. Visitors can relish a shared experience with family and friends, or, come alone to enjoy the peaceful 1,700 acres, as nature’s autumn beauty provides a spectacular backdrop for hiking the 16 miles of trails, or bicycling the nine miles of roads.

A perennial favorite is the Fall Color 5K Run and Walk. The hilly, USA Track and Field certified course is challenging even for experienced racers. No vehicular traffic is allowed as contestants run alongside the gorgeous Arboretum tree collections. Children can participate in a Kids Dash. And at the "Fitness Fair," experts teach stretching, and provide recovery foods and beverages. For race registration and details, visit www.mortonarb.org/fallcolor5k.

For thrills, catch Dracula, October’s chilling “Theatre-Hike.” Watch a scene in one location, and then hike to another for a second scene, and the process repeats. Not recommended for children below age eight. Tickets are $13 to $22, available via 630/725-2066, at the Visitor Center, or via www.mortonarb.org.

While you delight in the “coloricious” Arboretum trees sporting a full, fall color palette, delight your palate with “Festive Fall Fare,” complete with mouth-watering taffy apples, hamburgers, brats, chicken, and roasted corn. Wash it all down with soft drinks, beer, and complimentary wine samplings.

Preteens can explore exciting gadgets made from gourds and see gourds grown in the Children's Garden during “Gourds, gourds, gourds!” A limited number of gourds will be available to decorate.  Or, they can decorate a pumpkin (available for purchase) and learn about pumpkin seeds during “Pumpkin Play.” Kids learn about the different types of bats that live in Illinois and make a bat finger puppet to take home during the drop-in activity, “Beneficial Bats.”  And who can resist an entertaining storyteller, in “Arbor Reading.”

The art lover will marvel at the Japanese art of flower arranging, or delight in unique and beautiful wood carvings and the functional but lovely gourd creations. The gardener will see or purchase many varieties of African violets, and get terrific deals on bulbs. It all happens in “Harvest Showcase,” throughout the fall color season.

Find fall color plants, unique garden ornaments, and container garden items in “Fall Garden Marketplace: an outdoor shopping boutique.

Rock star, Chicagoan, and environmentally-conscious artist Marty Casey visits the Arboretum Store, which will sell a beautiful, brand-new creation: a sterling silver pendant necklace bearing Casey’s signature ‘Trees’ image. For each $95 necklace sold, five trees will be planted in conjunction with American Forests’ Global Releaf environmental restoration program, which has planted 23-million trees. Casey also will play a solo, acoustic, mini-concert at the Arboretum, free with admission, and open to all.

Visitors can get pointers from a pro in a drawing demonstration and meet local children’s book illustrator, Jeffrey Ebbeler, who will sign copies of his new book, Our Walk in the Woods. In this imaginative story, a girl and her dog walk in the woods and describe their experiences from their very different perspectives.

Arboretum's Plant Systematist and Herbarium Curator Andrew Hipp signs copies of his new book, "Field Guide to Wisconsin Sedges."  And, local author Ted Villaire will sign copies of "60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Chicago." The recently-published edition features The Morton Arboretum trails and others.

If tending hives is your cup of tea, come meet Charles Lorence the keeper of the bees. Lorence, who tends Arboretum hives, will talk about his unique work, and let visitors sample honey.

Unless otherwise specified, all Arboretum events and destinations including the Children’s Garden are free with Arboretum admission, which is:
$9 per person ($6 on Wednesday), ages 18-64
$8 per person, ($5 on Wednesday), ages 65 and over
$6 per person, ($4 on Wednesday), ages 3-17
(Under age 3 is free)  Parking is free.  

2008 FALL COLOR FESTIVAL:  SEPTEMBER 27 - OCTOBER 26

INDIVIDUAL WEEKEND EVENTS
Marty Casey Appearance and Concert: September 27, 3 – 5 p.m.

Bulb Sale, September 28, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Ikebana exhibit of Japanese Flower Arranging: October 4 and 5, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Fall Color 5K Run and Walk: October 5. Run and Walk: 8 a.m., Kids Dash: 9:15 a.m. Fitness Fair: 7:30 – 11 a.m.

Children’s Book Signing with Jeffrey Ebbeler: October 11, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Wood Carvers Exhibit: October 11, 12 and 13: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Meet the Beekeeper: October 13: Noon – 3 p.m.

Children’s Garden: Gourds, Gourds, Gourds: October 18: 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. (weather permitting)

Gourd Works: October 18 and 19: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Book Signing with Ted Villaire: October 18: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.   

African Violet Show and Sale: October 25, 1 - 4 p.m. October 26, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Book Signing with the Arboretum’s Dr. Andrew Hipp: October 25: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.   

WEEKENDS:
Theatre-Hike: Dracula: September 27 and 28, weekends in October. Saturdays (and Columbus Day) at 1 – 3:30 p.m., Sundays at 3 – 5:30 p.m.

Children's Garden Drop-in Activity: Pumpkin Play, weekends in October 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. (weather permitting)  

Festive Fall Fare: September 27 and 28, and weekends in October: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

The Fall Garden Marketplace: Weekends in October and Columbus Day: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Wednesdays in October: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

DAILY SEPTEMBER 27 – OCTOBER 26:  
The Scarecrow Trail: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. or sunset, whichever is earlier

WEEKDAYS IN OCTOBER:
Children's Garden Drop-in Activity: Beneficial Bats, 1 - 4 p.m. (weather permitting)  

Children’s Garden Drop-in Activity: ArborReading, Fridays, 11-11:20 a.m. (weather permitting)

The Morton Arboretum gratefully acknowledges all of our sponsors: UPM, the Fall Color Festival Presenting Sponsor, and Bank of America, the Supporting Sponsor, along with the Bicycling Sponsor, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, and the Featured Wine Sponsor, Bonterra Vineyards. Fall Color 5K Run sponsors are AthletiCo, Dick Pond Athletics, and REI.

The Morton Arboretum is an internationally recognized 1,700-acre outdoor museum with collections of 4,117 kinds of trees, shrubs, and other plants from around the world. The Arboretum's beautiful natural landscapes, gardens, research and education programs, and year-round family activities support its mission – the planting and conservation of trees and other plants for a greener, healthier, and more beautiful world. Conveniently located at I-88 and Rte. 53 in Lisle, Illinois, the Arboretum is open 7 days a week, 365 days a year, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central Time or sunset, whichever is earlier. The Children's Garden is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., March through October, and 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., November through February. Visit www.mortonarb.org and click Press Room or call to learn more.

Media Contact:    Gina Tedesco, 630-725-2103, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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