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Dallas Blooms, It's a Classic. | 25th Anniversary | Dallas Arboretum

Posted by Dallas Arboretum in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX on Mar 29, 2009

2009 marks the 25th Anniversary of the Dallas Arboretum’s largest festival Dallas Blooms, presented by Chase, beginning March 7 through April 12. This year’s theme, ‘Dallas Blooms – ‘It’s A Classic’ emphasizes that the festival is now a signature event that millions of people have enjoyed.

MSN has even stated that Dallas Blooms is one of the top ten things to do in the country in spring. Over the years Dallas Blooms has grown to be the largest outdoor floral display in the Southwest and will feature 450,000 spring-blooming bulbs including tulips, daffodils, Dutch Iris and hyacinths which will bloom alongside over 100,000 pansies, violas, poppies and thousands of other spring annuals and perennials.

As a part of ‘Dallas Blooms, It’s A Classic’, The Dallas Arboretum also launches its Storybook Playhouse exhibit. Fourteen area architects were selected by a jury chaired by Mrs. Laura Leppert to build playhouses based on classic children’s stories. The exhibit on the Arboretum grounds will open to the public March 7 and stay in the Dallas Blooms garden through December 2009.

“Each winning entry will be placed in exclusive spots throughout the garden hand picked by the Dallas Arboretum horticulture department. The playhouses will each be sited in the landscaped area that best captures the theme of the story throughout the changing seasons”, Dave Forehand, Vice President of Gardens at the Dallas Arboretum, commented.

Everyday of the Dallas Blooms festival will be a celebration. A highlight will be the 25th Anniversary Cake Topiary. Over 13 feet in height, stuffed with 735 cubic feet of sphagnum moss, it will be adorned with dusty miller silver, dichondra and white petunias. Daily activities include live music in the Dann Talley Kincheloe Courtyard from 11am-2pm, an artist creating silhouettes for a nominal fee from 11am- 3pm and Storybook Playhouses available for tour. Wednesday and Thursday mornings this year will feature guided tours for a limited number of guests.

Kimberly Clark’s Mommy & Me Mondays and Children’s Medical Center Tiny Tot Tuesdays will return from March 9-April 6. Activities run from 10am-2pm and include: James French Photos with a live bunny ($15), arts and crafts, a petting zoo, story time, face painting 10am-1pm, creative movement 11am-11:30am, and Kindermusik with Miss Lisa 12-12:30pm.

The weekends are also exciting at the Dallas Blooms with additional activities: such as wagon rides nominally priced ($3.00 per person) 11am-3pm. Selected photograph areas are suggested for guests and jazz standards are played by Arthur Riddles on the Martin Rutchik Concert Stage from 1-4pm.

Guests are invited to enjoy the Great Easter Activities Weekend: April 11, 12-4pm and April 12, 1- 4pm. Activities will include James French photography with a live bunny ($15), a petting zoo, a visit from the Easter bunny and face painting. Be sure not to miss children’s musician Eddie Coker on Good Friday, April 10 at 11am and 2 pm on the Martin Rutchik Concert Stage.

Those needing a relaxing activity with friends and family can make reservations for the noted Dallas Arboretum Seated Tea $35.00 per person at 11am and 2 pm. Reservations are required, so please call (214) 515-6610 or sign-up online.

While enjoying the Playhouses and the floral displays in the garden, guests may stop by the Hoffman Family Gift Shop for featured storybooks and other unique gifts.

Artscape, a fine art exhibit and sale on the Arboretum grounds will take place on Saturday, March 21, and Sunday, March 22 from 9am-5pm. It has become a highlight for all fine art enthusiasts over the last four years, including over 90 artists from around the country. They work in various mediums including: painting, watercolor, pastel, drawing, photography, fiber, jewelry, glass, wood, sculpture and 2-D and 3-D mixed media. The DeGolyer House will feature a special art exhibition called Garden Gallery that will run through April 12th of work selected by a jury and completed at the Dallas Arboretum.

Special discounts during the Dallas Blooms festival include “Buy One Get One Wednesday and “AT&T Senior Citizen Thursdays” where seniors 65 and older pay only $6.50 for admission. Coupons can be found by clicking the links above or by going to the the Dallas Arboretum website.

For further information on the 25th Anniversary of ‘Dallas Blooms, It’s A Classic’, the Storybook Playhouse exhibition, Artscape and other events visit www.dallasarboretum.org or call (214) 515-6600.

General Visitor information for The Dallas Arboretum
Hours: The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens is open to the public year-round 9am to 5pm except for Christmas, Thanksgiving and New Year's Day.

General Admission: Adults, $9.50. Seniors 65 and over, $8. Children ages 3-12, $6. Children 2 and under, free. On-site parking, $5.

Rental: Both the DeGolyer Home, the Camp House and Rosine Hall are available for rental. In addition, we have 11 unique garden sites that may be rented for weddings or other occasions at The Dallas Arboretum.

Food Service: Food service is available outside at the Lula Mae Slaughter Dining Terrace and inside at Degolyer Garden Cafe year round.

Information: Call 214-515-6600 or visit our website.

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