Will Rogers Park to host annual Garden Festival June 9

Celebrate National Gardening Week Saturday, June 9 at the 16th annual Garden “Festival in the Park” hosted by the Will Rogers Park, NW 36 and Portland.

Presented by the Oklahoma City Council of Garden Clubs, the Garden Festival will feature a plant and garden sale, free garden seminars, kids’ activities, and herb and flower show. Festival hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and admission is free.

Louis Scott, horticulturalist for the Will Rogers Garden Exhibition Center, says there’s something for everyone at this year’s Festival. “Even if you don't have a green thumb,” says Scott, “there are plenty of garden ornament and craft booths throughout the plant and garden sale. More importantly, the seminars will provide a great learning opportunity for gardeners of all levels and abilities - from the novice all the way up to the expert Master Gardener.”

The green thumb seminars include:

10 a.m. Meet OKC’s Newest Residents: Fire Ants!
Wayne Smith, Bryan County Extension Educator

11 a.m. Herbs, Herbs, Herbs
Oklahoma Herb Society

1 p.m. The Oklahoma Drought: an Update
Derek Arndt, Climatologist, Oklahoma Climatological Survey

2 p.m. Goof Proof Plants
Brian Pertle, TLC Garden Center

3 p.m. Got It Home, Now What Do I Do With It? Extended Management of Established Trees and Shrubs
Ray Ridlen, OSU Extension Educator

While at the Festival, guests can tour the Will Rogers Horticultural Gardens at the peak of their season with hourly, guided walks all day. The Late Bloomer Club’s Garden Café offers a shady spot for a light and fresh lunch.

“The Garden Café will have plenty of tasty treats, including their famous chicken salad sandwich,” Scott said. “Guests can then walk that off by taking a leisurely trip through the rose garden, arboretum or conservatory.”

This year’s festival has been designated as an Official Centennial Event, and is sponsored in part by the City of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma State University Extension and TLC Garden Center. The Oklahoma Council of the National Accredited Flower Show Judges sponsors the Flower show. For more information, call 943-0827.