OSU Botanical Garden is site for upcoming holiday event

Holly-Day at the Garden will take place Dec. 8 from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the OSU Botanical Garden located west of Stillwater, said Laura Payne, OSU Botanical Garden volunteer coordinator and field resources coordinator.

“This is the first year we’ve had this event and we’re looking forward to families coming out to the garden and getting into the holiday spirit,” Payne said. “Our goal, in addition to having a great family evening, is to promote community awareness of the garden, as well as have a fundraising activity.”

Kim Rebek, host of the popular television program Oklahoma Gardening, said participants will have the opportunity to see holiday cooking demonstrations, along with wreath making and indoor decorations demonstrations.

“The holiday season is such a fun time to decorate your home, both inside and out. We’ll be showcasing several decorating techniques using garden items,” Rebek said.

OSU Botanical Garden Ambassadors will take visitors to the garden on a guided tour through the Oklahoma Gardening studio garden to see plants and structures that add beauty and interest to a home’s garden during the winter months.

Children will have the opportunity to take part in the Youth Walk – a short walk through the garden to allow children to collect natural materials from various stations so they can create an indoor craft project. They will be able to make a pine cone bird feeder that can hang in the garden as a tasty treat for birds. Children also can make a pine cone ornament out of pine cones and other natural materials.

For a fee of $25, adults are invited to make their own wreath, or for $15, a swag.

“We’re very excited about this event and hope that families will come out and enjoy the evening,” Payne said. “This is a wonderful opportunity for children to get exposed to trees and plants and hopefully pique an interest in horticulture. Gardening is a great healthy event that families can enjoy together.”

There will be door prizes for both adults and children. Winning tickets will be announced at 5:15 p.m. The Oklahoma Gardening studio gardens also will be the site for caroling, Christmas lights and hot chocolate at the conclusion of the Holly-Day at the Garden event.

The OSU Botanical Garden is an oasis of thousands of species of herbaceous and wood plants set on about 100 acres. Oklahoma Gardening is produced by the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Agricultural Communications Services and the OSU Cooperative Extension Service, all of which are part of the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.

For more information, contact Payne at 405-744-5404 or 405-372-2989.

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Oklahoma State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, State and Local Governments Cooperating: The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, or status as a veteran, and is an equal opportunity employer.
 
Trisha Gedon
Communications Specialist
Agricultural Communications Services
136 Agriculture North
Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, OK  74078
405-744-3625 (phone)
405-744-5739 (fax)
trisha.gedon@okstate.edu