Dallas Arboretum Kicks Off Autumn at the Arboretum With a Storybook Pumpkin Village Created with 50,000 Pumpkins, Gourds and Squash

DALLAS, July 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden celebrates Autumn at the Arboretum, one of the Southwest's largest fall festivals, from September 20 to November 26. Visitors will find plenty to do daily with activities in the main garden and the Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden during the festival period, as well as discounts for certain days, by checking the website at http://www.dallasarboretum.org.

The highlight of the festival is the nationally acclaimed Pumpkin Village, which is created with more than 50,000 pumpkins, gourds and squash by the talented horticulture team. Each house features a popular children's storybook including "Pumpkin Jack," "Too Many Pumpkins," "Strega Nona's Harvest," "Pumpkin Town!," "Scarecrow" and "Cinderella."  Cinderella's carriage, along with thousands of pumpkins artfully arranged throughout Pecan Grove, also create a popular photo opportunity.

"Fall is our most colorful time of year," said Dave Forehand, vice president of gardens. "Our thousands of pumpkins bring out the color in banks of chrysanthemums that are layered with ornamental grasses, copper plants and firebush. From walking through the pumpkin houses to enjoying the myriad of activities and taking photos, there's something for everyone during our most popular fall festival."

In addition to exploring the pumpkin houses, children will play to their heart's content at the Kimberly-Clark Mommy & Me Mondays and Kimberly-Clark Tiny Tot Tuesdays that include a petting zoo, nature art, face painting and Kindermusik. From October 10-13, Columbus Day festivities include live music and two Eddie Coker Concerts on October 13. On October 25-26, children are invited to trick-or-treat throughout the gardens with costumed characters and partake in the family fun activities. Additional activities include a seated Harvest Tea at the historic Restaurant DeGolyer, piano and garden melodies and the popular Cool Thursdays concerts on the Martin Rutchik Concert Stage.

The 9^th Annual Tour des Fleurs, presented by Dave Perry-Miller & Associates, kicks off the opening day with a 10K/20K race around the beautiful White Rock Lake. Details are at http://tourdesfleurs.org/.

Autumn at the Arboretum is made possible by Alliance Data, Gateway Buick and Texas Instruments.

The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is located on the southeastern shore of White Rock Lake at 8525 Garland Road, Dallas, Texas 75218.  The Dallas Arboretum is also the home of the internationally acclaimed Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden. The Arboretum is open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. General admission is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors 65 and older, $10 for children 3-12 and free for Arboretum members and children two and under. There is an additional cost of $3 per person for entrance into the Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden. On-site parking is $10.  The Dallas Morning News is the principal partner of the Dallas Arboretum.  The Arboretum is supported, in part, by funds from the Dallas Park and Recreation Department.  WFAA is an official media sponsor for the Dallas Arboretum.   

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SOURCE Dallas Arboretum