Rochester Public Utilities (RPU), with partners Maier Forest and Tree and Rochester Park and Recreation, will host the 10^th Annual Arbor Day Celebration on Friday, April 27 from 11 a.m. to1 p.m. at Mayo Park behind the Mayo Civic Center.

The fun and free community event will feature a variety of activities and displays that will include: A tree giveaway of over 3,000 trees, a free lunch of hot dogs, corn on the cob, chips, cookies, and soda will be provided (while supplies last), and live music from Paul Mayasich and his band, Real American Made Music. Tree experts will also be on hand to answer questions on tree planting and care, along with many other vendor displays.

Children will be able to enjoy Smokey Bear, balloonists, a scavenger hunt, temporary tattoos, bean bag toss, and much more!

At noon, an awards ceremony will honor the Rochester elementary school student that won this year’s Arbor Day poster contest. This year’s winner is Sarah Brewer, a fourth grader at Folwell Elementary. Sarah will receive a $100 U.S. savings bond, her winning poster will be featured in advertising, and a tree will be planted in her honor at Folwell Elementary School.

Co-Sponsors of this year’s event include: Hy-Vee, People’s Energy Cooperative, Sargent’s Gardens, and Seneca Foods.

Participants include: Cascade Meadow Wetlands & Environmental Science Center, Minnesota Energy Resources, Olmsted Soil & Water Conservation District, RNeighbors, Rochester Public Works, University of Wisconsin – Steven’s Point, Zumbro Valley Audubon, and Zumbro Valley Woodland Council.

In the event of rain, the celebration will be moved to Graham Arena 2 at Rochester Graham Park.

This entry was posted on Thursday, April 26th, 2012 at 8:31 am and is filed under Events. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.