It finally arrived! Tyler Arboretum’s biggest event of the year – Pumpkin Days – was held October 19 & 20. The weekend was packed full of various “edutainment” opportunities, with all proceeds benefiting the Arboretum and supporting continuing educational programs and conservation efforts – clearly, a win-win day for all involved!
Pumpkin Days had a little of everything for everyone. I saw several kids walking around with their faces painted while painting pumpkins, playing games, and watching balloon sculptures being formed before heading over to climb in to Stubby the Traveling Helicopter (thanks, American Helicopter Museum!). Families were enjoying making their own scarecrows and taking hayrides, while I saw everyone enjoying the Penncrest High School Pep Band perform. I was even able to catch some of the Baywings Falconry show!
An event such as this takes an enormous amount of planning by the Tyler Arboretum staff, and staffing by all of the wonderful volunteers that give their time to supporting Tyler’s mission. (Did you know it takes over 300 volunteers to help host Pumpkin Days???) I assisted on Saturday morning with getting people from the buses that brought visitors over from the Penn State Brandywine parking lot through the cashiers to go off and enjoy the beautiful fall weather we were having. It was fun to chat with old and new member of Tyler, as well as first-time visitors to the Arboretum – they certainly picked a great day to visit!
I’m looking forward to my next visit on Saturday, November 2, when I’ll be speaking at the meeting for the Pennsylvania Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation, hosted by Tyler Arboretum. It should be a very informative day, celebrating all of the work being done to preserve and protect the American chestnut. You can learn more about the meeting at the TACF website.
Journeys of Dr. G at Tyler Arboretum 