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  1. Family Fridays in the Garden


    Bring the whole family for an evening to discover plants, animals and the history of the garden. Meet on the Rooftop Plaza. Springfield Botanical Gardens 891-1515

    Age: All Ages
    Date: May 25 - Garden Predators
    June 8 - Sunset Stroll
    June 22 - Nocturnal Insects
    July 6 - Neat Natives
    July 20 - The Secret Night Life of Plants
    Aug. 3 - From Trail of Tears to Greenways Trail
    Aug. 17 - Gone Batty
    Aug. 31 - From Garden to Grocer
    Time: Fri., 7:30 p.m.
    Fee: Free



  2. Learn to Grow in the Gardens


    Meet a Master Gardener for a guided garden tour covering special topics. Springfield Botanical Gardens 891-1515

    Age: All Ages
    Date: June 11 - Roses
    July 9 - Container Water Gardening
    Aug. 13 - Crepe Myrtle
    Sept. 10 - Twilight Gardens
    Oct. 8 - Creating a Garden Sanctuary
    Time: Mon., 6-7 p.m.
    Fee: $5, pay at the door



  3. The Dr. Bill Roston Native Butterfly House


    Volunteer docents provide information on a variety of butterfly and garden topics in a 20’x40’ outdoor structure. Guided fieldtrips and private tours available through the week. Springfield Botanical Gardens 891-1515

    Age: All Ages
    Date: Most days through Oct. 1 (call ahead)
    Time: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
    Fee: Free, donations appreciated



  4. Tram Tours


    Ride a solar tram on a 20-minute guided tour of the 112-acre Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park. Weekday fieldtrips and private tours available for a fee. Botanical Center 891-1515

    Age: All Ages
    Date: Sat. and Sun. through Oct. 28
    Time: 1-5 p.m.
    Fee: Free



  5. Walking Tours


    Meet with a staff horticulturist for a themed walk and talk around the gardens. Botanical Center 891-1515

    Age: All Ages
    Date: Aug. 31 - Tree ID walk
    Sept. 7 - Color walk
    Sept. 14 - Rain Garden walk
    Sept. 21 - Tree ID walk
    Sept. 28 - Sensory Garden walk
    Oct. 6 - South Creek walk
    Time: Fri., 9 a.m.
    Fee: Free



  6. 23rd Annual Japanese Fall Festival


    Three days of Japanese culture in the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden, celebrating Springfield’s sister city, Isesaki, Japan. Includes Taiko drumming, Japanese storytelling, top spinning, folk dancing, martial arts, origami and other hands-on crafts, tea ceremonies, a tent-top market with gifts, a visiting delegation from Isesaki and more. Presented by the Springfield Sister Cities Association, peacethroughpeople.org. Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden 891-1515

    Age: All Ages
    Date: Fri., Sept. 7-Sun., Sept. 9
    Time: Fri., 5-10 p.m.
    Sat., 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
    Sun., 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
    Fee: $8 for 1 dog and 1 person
    $3 each additional person




  7. 27th Annual 1860’s Lifestyle Expo at Gray-Campbell Farmstead


    Rediscover pioneer life at the oldest house in Springfield. Apple butter making, horseshoes, hearth cooking, fiber arts, crafts, wood carving, seed-spitting contests and more. Barn, house, kitchen and Liberty Schoolhouse open for tours. A1860’s costume parade is at noon Saturday, register by 11:30. Brush arbor service Sunday, 11 a.m. Apple Pie Baking Contest Sunday, 3 p.m., register by 2:15, no crumb-top pies. Concessions available. Gray-Campbell Farmstead 891-1515

    Age: All Ages
    Date: Sept. 15-16
    Time: Sat., 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Sun., 12-4:30 p.m.
    Fee: Free




  8. Homeschool Horticulture


    Join us in the gardens for plant science programs that supplement your homeschool STEM curriculum. Designed to meet specific grade levels needs, but all ages are welcome. Registration required, space is limited. Springfield Botanical Gardens 891-1515

    Age: See below
    Date: Sept. 6 - Kindergarten
    Sept. 20 - Grades 1-2
    Oct. 4 - Grades 3-4
    Oct. 18 - Grades 5-6
    Nov. 1 - Grades 7-8
    Nov. 15 - High School
    Time: Thurs., 9 a.m.
    Fee: $3/Student



  9. Garden Story Time


    Meet us in the Botanical Center for a garden-themed story time, followed by a fun activity. Springfield Botanical Gardens 891-1515

    Age: Preschoolers and family
    Date: Sept. 12, Oct. 10, Nov. 14, Dec. 12
    Time: Wed., 9 a.m.
    Fee: Free



  10. Garlic Expo


    Join MU Extension specialists for a fun evening of everything garlic! Taste different varieties, discuss the latest research on its healthful qualities, consider commercial production, learn more from ongoing research trials of planting dates and cultivars for our area. Some varieties are available to purchase for your garden! Greene County MU Extension 891-8909

    Age: 18 and up
    Date: Fri., Sept. 21
    Time: 6-9 p.m.
    Fee: $10



  11. Fairy Gardens


    Using succulent plants, nuts and pods collected from the garden, we will each create a small container garden with a miniature landscape scene to take home. Additional furnishings can be purchased through the Gift Shop. Springfield Botanical Gardens 891-1515

    Age: All ages
    Date: Sat., Sept. 22
    Time: 1-2 p.m.
    Fee: $20



  12. Monarch Tagging


    Learn about Monarch Watch, a Monarch butterfly migration study conducted through the University of Kansas. Meet outside the Butterfly House for a demonstration, then help tag butterflies. Learn more at monarchwatch.org. Springfield Botanical Gardens 891-1515

    Age: All ages
    Date: Sat., Sept. 29
    Time: 1-2 p.m.
    Fee: $20



  13. School’s Out Halloween Decoration Day


    Learn how to create Halloween decorations from dried materials from the garden. Choose from dried flowers, leaves and gourds to make ornaments, door swags and other crafts. Paint, ribbon and accessories included. Springfield Botanical Gardens 891-1515

    Age: All ages
    Date: Mon., Oct. 15
    Time: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
    Fee: $5/Participant, per item



  14. Concerts at the Springfield Botanical Gardens


    Pack a picnic and bring a lawn chair to the Peace Through People Pavilion. Donations support Friends of the Garden. Springfield Botanical Gardens 891-1515

    Age: All Ages
    Date: Oct. 7 - Molly Healey
    Oct. 14 - Casey Freeland & Atta Boys
    Oct. 21 - Shaun Munday
    Oct. 28 - Dallas Jones
    Fee: Free, donations appreciated



  15. Christmas at the Farmstead


    Join volunteers at the Gray-Campbell Farmstead to celebrate an old-fashioned Christmas. Decorate the tree with hand-made vintage ornaments. Enjoy hot cocoa, cookies and carols. Gray-Campbell Farmstead 891-1515

    Age: All Ages
    Date: Sat., Dec. 1
    Time: 1-3 p.m.
    Fee: Free



  16. Handmade Wreath Workshop


    Create your own wreath with fresh greenery and dried natural ornaments from the garden. Classes limited to 12, registration required. Or book your own group for a private decorating party anytime through the holidays! Springfield Botanical Gardens 891-1515

    Age: 12 yrs. and up
    Date: Sat., Dec. 15
    Time: 10 a.m.-Noon
    Fee: $25/item