ANN ARBOR—The University of Michigan’s Arbfest ’99 includes the Nichols Arboretum‘s annual Peony Garden Party and more. While enjoying the 700 plus peonies, buying peony plants, sipping lemonade and tea, listening to jazz, touring the prairie, the Appalachian Glen and the wetlands will be part of the day. A grand opening and a dedication are also planned.

From 2 to 5 p.m. June 13, guests can experience the grand opening and dedication of the James Reader Jr. Urban Environmental Education Center at the Arboretum’s Burnham House and various activities throughout the Arboretum.

The day’s events begin with the dedication ceremonies at the Burnham House. Afterwards, visitors can enjoy a variety of venues and activities from an Artventure tent providing arts and crafts projects for children to docent-led tours of various areas of the Arboretum.

Admission to Arbfest is free. Bikes are not permitted. The Arboretum is open daily, 6 a.m.-10 p.m.

The “Arb” is located on 123 acres of glacially carved terrain that varies from steep ravines, to rolling hills, to prairie. This prime location offers opportunities to explore wetlands, an Appalachian rhododendron glen, peer over the big blue stem in the tall-grass prairie, or climb uphill for a view of the oak hickory forest.

For more information about Nichols Arboretum visit http://www.umich.edu/~snrewww/arb/.

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