NEW THIS FALL: AUTUMNFEST AT THE MORTON ARBORETUM

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NEW THIS FALL: AUTUMNFEST AT THE MORTON ARBORETUM

Two Months to Celebrate Nature’s Colors with Pumpkins and Bees

LISLE, IL (July 27, 2011) – To celebrate the changing of the seasonal guard, a new festival kicks off at The Morton Arboretum. “AutumnFest at The Morton Arboretum” is a two month festival of fall fun for the whole family!

September kicks off the festivities with a sweet side of “AutumnFest” with a flurry of honey bee themed activities at the Arboretum’s “Honey Bee Weekend.” Get in the bee spirit as you sip on a glass of honey mead wine while strolling around looking at fine honey goodies at the “Honey Expo.” Everything from candles, caramels, pastries to beauty products are available for purchase. Mingling with the guests is the Arboretum’s beekeeper, Bronwyn Weaver. She’ll answer your questions and talk about her role in the Arboretum Store’s honey production. Or pop into one of the drop-in lectures to learn more about bees and honey.

Also happening that weekend is the “Honey Brunch n’ Learn: Home in the Hive.” A delicious, honey-inspired brunch discussing the pleasures of home beekeeping, the importance of local beekeepers in pollinator health, and some honey recipes to take home.

See bees on the big screen with the critically acclaimed documentary, “Queen of the Sun.” Cinematically examine the global bee crisis through the eyes of biodynamic beekeepers, scientists, farmers, and philosophers. On a pilgrimage around the world, this limited release film unveils 10,000 years of beekeeping, highlighting how our historic and sacred relationship with bees has been lost, and how a new generation of beekeepers is rediscovering this tradition.

For the little guys, have a “Happy Bee-Day!” The Children’s Garden’s sixth birthday party is a buzzing good time. Do a bee dance, create a bee mask and learn about beekeeping in this hands-on discovery activity. A beekeeping expert will be on hand from noon to 3 p.m. to answer all those questions buzzing around in your head.

“Honey Bee Hikes” is a beetastic adventure for the whole family! You’ll learn about honey bees’ favorite flowers and how honey is made while touring the Arboretum’s bee hives on a family-friendly adventure. For those looking for more of an in-depth experience, sign up for a “Bee Hive Tour.” This group will also get a behind-the-scenes tour of the Arboretum’s bee hives, but will delve deeper into the importance of bees in our world. You will also get a little closer to the bees while learning! Don’t sweat, protective bee netting is provided.

Does all this bee knowledge interest you in becoming a beekeeper? Find out if the trade is for you with “Beginning Beekeeping.” Taught by Bronwyn, this class covers the history of beekeeping, bee anatomy, how to own and manage a colony, equipment basics, honey bee pests and diseases, and how to harvest honey. All budding beekeepers receive their own hive tools to take home. Or if you are shutter-happy, learn to photograph bees in “Close-up: Bees.” This three session class for the intermediate photographer will help you capture their graceful antics through your macro lens.

Got a taste for some honey now? Do we dare mention the honey harvested from the Arboretum’s grounds is available for sale in the Arboretum’s Store? Pop in the Arb’s Store and purchase the hard work of the Arboretum’s bees.

What would fall be without a trip to the “Fall Garden Shoppe?” After entertaining the mind and body, add wonderful fall foliage, or bright colored fruit to your garden. Stop in the sale to pick up select trees, shrubs, ornamental grasses, and perennial favorites. Both hardy and annual mums are just waiting to decorate your yard. Get ready for spring with some of our bulbs. Forty seven varieties of tulips, thirty-one varieties of daffodils and eighty four varieties of alliums, frittilaria, anemones, crocus, iris, scillas and much more are waiting to put down roots in your yard. Arboretum experts are also there to help answer any of your gardening questions.

Excited now about the first half of “AutumnFest at The Morton Arboretum?” Here are some logistical items that will help you through this zesty time at the Arboretum. Stay tuned for October’s escapes.

Event Information:

Honey Bee Weekend- September 10 and 11: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Free with Arboretum admission
Happy Bee-Day- September 10 and 11: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Free with Arboretum admission
Fall Garden Shoppe- September 17 – 25: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Cost varies per item

Register at www.mortonarb.org/education or 630-719-2468 for the following classes:
Bee Hive Tour- September 9: 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. $32
Honey Bee Hikes- September 10 and 11: 11 a.m.; 1 p.m.; 3 p.m.; $6 plus general Arboretum admission.
Honey Brunch and Learn “Home in the Hive”- September 10: 9:30 a.m.; $32
Close-up: Bees – September 8 - 15: 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. $112
Queen of the Sun­- September 11: 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 4 p.m.; $4 - $6 plus general Arboretum admission.
Beginning Beekeeping- Tuesdays, September 13 – October 4: 6 p.m.; $94

Discounts available for Arboretum members.

The Morton Arboretum gratefully acknowledges generous support from: Lisle Convention and Visitors Bureau, the featured hotel sponsor; the Illinois Arts Council; Navistar: Presenting Sponsor of the Children’s Garden; Lisle Dental Center; and Edy's Ice Cream.

The Morton Arboretum is an internationally recognized 1,700-acre outdoor museum with collections of 4,128 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, or call to learn more.

Media Contact Ι Allison Phelps Ι 630.719.5768 Ι 773.724.1385 Ι This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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