More Treet-s Than Tricks at The Morton Arboretum

Music, Entertainment and Bats!

LISLE, IL (October 13, 2009) - Come all little ghouls, goblins, witches and wizards to The Morton Arboretum's annual "Trick or Trees!" extravaganza October 24-25, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Children's Garden and around the Visitor Center area. Dress in the scariest, prettiest or craziest costume and get ready for a flurry of festive activities!

"Trick or Trees will entertain and amuse your family with games, candy, a live bat show, music, a spooky maze, and pumpkins," says Katherine Johnson, Arboretum Children's Garden Manager, "not only will you have a great time but you'll get a chance to learn some things about trees and nature!"

It'll be a bat-tastic time when visitors get up close with live bats from the Organization for Bat Conservation. Dispel the blood-sucking rumors and learn how important these winged-creatures are to nature. "Live Bat Show" is in Cudahy Auditorium 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Tickets are $8, with discounts for members.

Go batty with "Musical Mark!" Dance and sing along with some favorites like "Bat Bop Boogie," "Cool Bats," and "Bat, Bat, Habitat." Performances are in Cudahy Auditorium at Noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Tickets are $8, with discounts for members.

Get lost in the "Haunted" Maze Garden and see how it has become home to creepy creatures that lurk around every corner. Tune into the musicians and performers who will be entertaining nearby, while costumed characters pass out "Trick or Treet" candy! All Maze activities are free with Arboretum admission.

Sneak over to the Hedge Garden, if you dare, and try your hand throwing rings that a make-believe spider can catch in "Spider Ring Toss," or see if you can pitch gourds into buckets in "Gourd Toss," with a chance to win prizes! Make "dumdum ghosts," "finger bat puppets," and even create your own "leaf person." In all, there are six games and five crafts, plus face painting. Prices for these activities are 25- or 50-cents; purchase the required 25-cent tickets onsite (cash only, please).

Other activities include the free "Creepy Tree-ditions" walk, and pumpkin decorating ($3 per pumpkin in the Children's Garden). Visit www.mortonarb.org or call 630-968-0074 for more information.

All events except the "Live Bat Show" and "Musical Mark" take place outdoors, and are held weather-permitting.

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. Central Time until sunset. 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 Press Room at www.mortonarb.org, call to learn more.

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