This Weekend: Mom Knows Best
Posted in Programs and Events on May 9 2014, by Lansing Moore
This Sunday is the day we honor moms across the country, so come enjoy a spring afternoon with your family at the Mother’s Day Weekend Garden Party! All over the grounds are activities, arts and crafts, and ways to explore the grounds and appreciate the beauty of spring. Our Mother’s Day Brunch is now sold out, but there are plenty of other opportunities for food throughout the weekend. Read on for the full list of delicious food trucks and vendors, as well as the band who will treat guests to live jazz on Daffodil Hill all weekend!
You can expect more vintage-style outdoor fun after the May 17 opening of our forthcoming exhibit, Groundbreakers; Great American Gardens and the Women Who Designed Them. Until then, if you give your mother flowers, you might as well give her the whole Garden.
Saturday, May 10
Mother’s Day Weekend Garden Party, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Bird & Butterfly Walk — 11 a.m.
Meet at the Reflecting Pool at the Leon Levy Visitor Center
The diverse habitats of the Botanical Garden offer visitors a chance to see dozens of species of birds throughout the year. Bring your binoculars and walk the Garden grounds with an expert to learn about bird-friendly habitats, migrating species, and birds that make a permanent home at the Garden. Also look out for butterflies looking for nectar in the Garden’s flowers.
Refreshments & Picnicking on Daffodil Hill — 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
On Daffodil Hill
Picnic in the nearby gardens and on Daffodil Hill while enjoying tasty samples from some great partners all weekend and the delicious offerings for sale from various NYC food trucks.
Stephen STARR Events provides delicious refreshments, wine, and beer for purchase to help you enjoy your afternoon at the Garden.
Samplers Include:
Tea•riffic! Ice Cream
Happy Family
Food Trucks Include:
Andy’s Italian Ices and Espresso Bar
Gorilla Cheese
Moo Shu Grill
Phil’s Steaks
Taco Bite
Van Leeuwen
Music and Dance — 11–5 p.m.
On Daffodil Hill
Michael Arenella & His Dreamland Orchestra, the world’s premier Jazz Age dance band, specializing in the Hot-Jazz of the 1920s and early 1930s, brings the sounds of the Jazz-Age to the Garden with their 7-piece band. Originator of the beloved Jazz Age Lawn Party, conductor, composer, musician and singer Michael Arenella presents a personally transcribed songbook for your listening and dancing pleasure! Dancing is encouraged! A Phonograph DJ continues to serenade the crowds with antique gramophones bringing to life original recordings from the 1920s between the sets.
Games & Outdoor Fun — 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
On Daffodil Hill
Have a go at favorite garden party games like badminton and croquet. If the wind is right, come fly a kite! New this year, have a hula hooping contest or challenge your family to a game on our new Giant Chess boards!
Children’s Outdoor Nature Explorations: Birds and Nests — 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
On Daffodil Hill
Appreciate all of the moms in nature caring for their young! Weave a bird’s nest and craft an egg out of clay to take home. Then head to the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden to pick up a spring scavenger hunt and learn more about this fun time of year.
Story Book Nook and Readings — 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
On Daffodil Hill
Take a break from all the action and join us by the Cherry Tree Collection and read books about nature and spring. Borrow one to read on your own under your favorite tree.
Giant Chalk Drawings — 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Across from the Stone Mill
Stop by and see a giant chalk drawing by chalk artist Sean Fitzpatrick! Get creative and make your own chalk masterpiece to add to the designs.
Make a Card for Mom! — 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Along the Wetland Trail
Decorate a card for mom on her special day!
Watercolor Painting — 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Along Wetland Trail
Pick up a palette and let the Garden be your muse. Borrow materials and set yourself up to use the beautiful spring surroundings to create a painting.
Vintage Photographer — 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
At the Azalea Garden Overlook
A photographer with a vintage-style camera will be on hand to snap pictures of your family taken with the brilliant Azalea Garden as your backdrop. His work utilizes digital technology and traditional photographic tools and techniques that connect with the history of the craft. Photographs will be available online within 24 hours of the event for guests to download.
Home Gardening Demonstrations: Sow and Grow — 12 & 2 p.m.
On Daffodil Hill
Join Gardener for Public Education, Sonia Uyterhoeven, for an activity based demonstration on how to sow seeds and transplant young seedlings into your garden. Different techniques will be covered and participation is encouraged with a take home something special for mom.
Azalea Garden Tour — 12:30 p.m.
Meet at the Reflecting Pool at the Leon Levy Visitor Center
Join us for a guided tour of the 11-acre site that offers an encyclopedic collection of the world’s azaleas planted along a broad hillside punctuated by rock outcrops and shaded by mature native trees.
Native Plant Garden Tour — 2:30 p.m.
Meet at the Reflecting Pool at the Leon Levy Visitor Center
Join a tour guide for an insider’s view of the Native Plant Garden. Enjoy a mosaic of nearly 100,000 native trees, wildflowers, ferns and grasses designed to flourish in every season.
Sunday, May 11
Mother’s Day Weekend Garden Party, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Bird & Butterfly Walk — 11 a.m.
Meet at the Reflecting Pool at the Leon Levy Visitor Center
The diverse habitats of the Botanical Garden offer visitors a chance to see dozens of species of birds throughout the year. Bring your binoculars and walk the Garden grounds with an expert to learn about bird-friendly habitats, migrating species, and birds that make a permanent home at the Garden. Also look out for butterflies looking for nectar in the Garden’s flowers.
Refreshments & Picnicking on Daffodil Hill — 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
On Daffodil Hill
Picnic in the nearby gardens and on Daffodil Hill while enjoying tasty samples from some great partners all weekend and the delicious offerings for sale from various NYC food trucks.
Stephen STARR Events provides delicious refreshments, wine, and beer for purchase to help you enjoy your afternoon at the Garden.
Samplers Include:
Featured Sampler: Columbus Foods
Happy Family
Ola Granola
Spoonable: Brooklyn’s Saucy Caramel
Regal Vegan
Food Trucks Include:
Andy’s Italian Ices and Espresso Bar
Morris Grilled Cheese
Kimchi Taco
Coolhaus
Taco Bite
Eddie’s Pizza
Featured Sampler Cooking Demonstration — 3 p.m.
On Daffodil Hill
On Sunday, May 11, join Columbus’ MeatUp Food truck tour! Columbus has long been known for high quality salame and deli meats. It has teamed up with Top Chef Fan Favorite Fabio Viviani to share a passion for simple Italian goodness. Come see Fabio perform a cooking demonstration and sample some savory treats at the MeatUp Food truck.
Music and Dance — 11–5 p.m.
On Daffodil Hill
Michael Arenella & His Dreamland Orchestra, the world’s premier Jazz Age dance band, specializing in the Hot-Jazz of the 1920s and early 1930s, brings the sounds of the Jazz-Age to the Garden with their 7-piece band. Originator of the beloved Jazz Age Lawn Party, conductor, composer, musician and singer Michael Arenella presents a personally transcribed songbook for your listening and dancing pleasure! Dancing is encouraged! A Phonograph DJ continues to serenade the crowds with antique gramophones bringing to life original recordings from the 1920s between the sets.
Games & Outdoor Fun — 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
On Daffodil Hill
Have a go at favorite garden party games like badminton and croquet. If the wind is right, come fly a kite! New this year, have a hula hooping contest or challenge your family to a game on our new Giant Chess boards!
Children’s Outdoor Nature Explorations: Birds and Nests — 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
On Daffodil Hill
Appreciate all of the moms in nature caring for their young! Weave a bird’s nest and craft an egg out of clay to take home. Then head to the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden to pick up a spring scavenger hunt and learn more about this fun time of year.
Story Book Nook and Readings — 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
On Daffodil Hill
Take a break from all the action and join us by the Cherry Tree Collection and read books about nature and spring. Borrow one to read on your own under your favorite tree.
Giant Chalk Drawings — 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Across from the Stone Mill
Stop by and see a giant chalk drawing by chalk artist Sean Fitzpatrick! Get creative and make your own chalk masterpiece to add to the designs.
Make a Card for Mom! — 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Along the Wetland Trail
Decorate a card for mom on her special day!
Watercolor Painting — 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Along Wetland Trail
Pick up a palette and let the Garden be your muse. Borrow materials and set yourself up to use the beautiful spring surroundings to create a painting.
Vintage Photographer — 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
At the Azalea Garden Overlook
A photographer with a vintage-style camera will be on hand to snap pictures of your family taken with the brilliant Azalea Garden as your backdrop. His work utilizes digital technology and traditional photographic tools and techniques that connect with the history of the craft. Photographs will be available online within 24 hours of the event for guests to download.
Home Gardening Demonstrations: Sow and Grow — 12 & 2 p.m.
On Daffodil Hill
Join Gardener for Public Education, Sonia Uyterhoeven, for an activity based demonstration on how to sow seeds and transplant young seedlings into your garden. Different techniques will be covered and participation is encouraged with a take home something special for mom.
Azalea Garden Tour — 12:30 p.m.
Meet at the Reflecting Pool at the Leon Levy Visitor Center
Join us for a guided tour of the 11-acre site that offers an encyclopedic collection of the world’s azaleas planted along a broad hillside punctuated by rock outcrops and shaded by mature native trees.
Native Plant Garden Tour — 2:30 p.m.
Meet at the Reflecting Pool at the Leon Levy Visitor Center
Join a tour guide for an insider’s view of the Native Plant Garden. Enjoy a mosaic of nearly 100,000 native trees, wildflowers, ferns and grasses designed to flourish in every season.
Ongoing Children’s Programs
Outdoor Nature Exploration: Spring Fun — 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
In the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden
With the Adventure Garden in spring color, pot up a seed to take home, go on a plant-part scavenger hunt, and have fun spotting frogs and turtles.
Dig! Plant! Grow!: Wild, Wiggly Worms — 1:30–5:30 p.m.
In the Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden
Rise and shine Family Garden! Help get the garden off to a good start by sowing seeds, planting seedlings, spreading compost, and digging. Observe the rapid changes and new growth on the trees, shrubs, and bulbs in our meadow, and explore germination of seeds up close with microscopes and magnifiers.
Mario Batali’s Kitchen Gardens — 1:30 – 6 p.m.
In the Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden
Kids can explore with Mario’s Menu Mystery game, featuring favorite vegetables and herbs from nine of his restaurants’ kitchens, including Otto and Del Posto.
