The Connecticut Tree Festival,
Norwalk's annual spring tribute to leafy greenery is set for Cranbury Park,
located on Grumman Ave. on Saturday, May 17 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., rain or shine.
This family fun festival will
be both entertaining and educational for the whole family with up to 40
exhibition booths on a U-shaped midway making it easy to explore. Best of all, this event is free, everything
in the park is free to the public--admission, parking, door prizes, even a
picnic-style lunch.
There are demonstrations of how
trees are planted, trimmed and moved as well as information on how to care for
trees. Bring a twig and leaf from home and look for the “Ask the Arborist”
signs, certified arborists are on-site to help identify trees, foliage or
unusual conditions. In a mid-day
ceremony, an eastern redbud tree is to be planted to honor the late Dick Aime
who died last year at age 93 after many years as secretary of the Norwalk Tree
Alliance.
For kids there is face painting,
scavenger hunts, and arts and crafts activities. A highlight of the event are the
cherry-pickers located around the midway that offers kids rides to the tree
tops and tells them about the importance of tree care.
Popular exhibitors include: the
Wolf Conservation Center from South Salem New York, Wildlife in Crisis of
Weston, CT, Earthplace of Westport and Connecticut’s Search and Rescue dog
team.
Appearing for the first
time is the Art Academy of Weir Farm in Wilton with a booth on the midway and a
display of arboreal art called “A Celebration of Trees” in the neighboring
Gallaher Mansion.
For additional information
about this event visit
https://www.ioby.org/project/2014-connecticut-tree-festival. For area information www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com
About Cranbury Park
This is an expansive parkland
of 227 acres that has a series of wooded trails, and a challenging 18- hold
disc golf course. Also on the grounds is
the Gallager Mansion built in 1913 by
industrialist/inventor Edward Beach Gallaher.
This limestone Tudor Revival mansion is styled with carvings,
stained-glass windows and Walnut paneled rooms. It includes a large
terrace and adjacent garden that make it perfect venue for outdoor
entertaining. It's available to rent for meetings, events, luncheons and
weddings. The Carriage House Arts Center is located adjacent to the mansion. Contact Recreation and Parks for details.
(203) 854-7806 or www.norwalkct.org/Facilities/Facility/Details/1
