Denver Botanic Gardens – Fall & Winter Events 2013

I have always been a huge fan of our Denver Botanic Gardens. I often go there on “photo walks” with Dex, and I just photographed a wedding there last weekend. If you haven’t been since their renovation, I suggest you head over – it’s better than ever. And the cool thing about the gardens is they do *not* close down in the fall and winter.

I am happy to share their fall and winter schedule of events. The crown jewel of course, being Blossom of Lights, which we make an annual pilgrimage.

FAMILIES 
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CORN MAZE
Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Oct. 27, 2013.
Fridays 4-9 p.m.
Saturdays Noon – 9 p.m.
Sundays Noon – 6 p.m.
Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield
$12 Adults, $10 Adult Member, Student, Senior (65+), Military, $8 Child (ages 3-12), $6 Child Member, Free for children 2 and younger

Wind your way through acres of corn, view the design from two 15-foot tall illuminated bridges that overlook the giant Corn Maze, and watch the delight as younger children find their way through a mini-maze designed just for them. Hayrides and pony rides will be available for an additional cost. An array of food vendors will offer some of your favorite fall foods, including freshly squeezed lemonade, funnel cakes, hotdogs and kettle corn.

SEEDLINGS CLASSES
Tuesdays: 18-24 month old, 9:30 and 10:45 a.m.
Wednesdays: 3-6 year old, 9:30 and 11 a.m.
Thursdays: 24-36 month old, 9:30 and 10:45 a.m.
Mordecai Children’s Garden at Denver Botanic Gardens
$10 for 18-36 month old, $8 member; $12 for 3-6 year old, $10 member

Seedlings classes offer a fun, hands-on way for young children to explore the plant world, while developing an understanding and appreciation for plants. November classes include “The Secret Life of Digger the Marmot,” the week of Nov. 5; “Glorious Grasses,” the week of Nov. 12; and “Harvest Treasures,” the week of Nov. 19.

PUMPKIN FESTIVAL
Friday, Saturday & Sunday, Oct. 11-13, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. each day
Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield
$7 Adult, $6 Member Adult, $5 Child (ages 3-12), $4 Member Child (ages 3-12), Children 2 and under are free, Corn Maze tickets can be added for an additional $6 per adult or child. (We no longer offer free entry for children in costume.)

Embrace the fall season at this year’s Pumpkin Festival. This three day event is a great tradition for the entire family where thousands of pumpkins will be ripe for the picking in our 10-acre pumpkin patch. Families can enjoy live music by Stray Dog Colorado, express face painting, pumpkin carving demonstrations and pumpkin bowling. The ever-so-popular monster hand-building station will return to this year’s festival. Kids can enjoy pony rides, amusement rides, balloon twists, giant coloring murals and a cookie decorating station.

HOMESCHOOL DAY: SEED SLEUTHS
Wednesday, Nov. 6, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Denver Botanic Gardens
$10 children two and older, free for children under two; one adult per family free, additional adults $6.50

Homeschool Days offer families the opportunity to explore plant-based themes through a variety of hands-on activities, tours and take-home projects they can complete together.

MINI CAMP: SAVORY SEASONINGS
Monday, Nov. 11, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Denver Botanic Gardens
$55, $50 member

In this one-day camp, children (age 6 -12) explore the world of herbs and spices, through a day of play, crafts and culinary arts.

FOOD 
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WARMING WINTER SOUPS AND CHOWDERS
Tuesday, Nov. 5, 6-8 p.m., Denver Botanic Gardens
$44, $39 member (food included)

Instructor Susan Evans walks participants through the process of making chicken and poblano corn chowder, Italian wedding soup and Thai curry chicken soup. Recipes, dinner and dessert included.

GOURMET GIFTS FROM THE KITCHEN
Thursday, Nov. 7, 6-8 p.m., Denver Botanic Gardens
$47, $42 member (food included)

Instructor Susan Evans teaches participants to make delicious gifts, including Chocó-chili nut clusters, marinated olives, a savory herb blend, cheater’s toffee, pomegranate jelly, garlic confit and mango chutney. Recipes and samples included.

HOME CHEESEMAKING
Thursday, Nov. 7, 6-8 p.m., Denver Botanic Gardens
$44, $39 member (food included)

Instructor Meg Caley, director of the Denver Green School Community Farm, leads participants through the basics of traditional cheesemaking and the animal husbandry, botany, and microbiology behind it. The class includes instruction on turning milk into curds and whey, making ricotta and stretching fresh mozzarella. Recipes and samples included.

FOODS OF THE MESOAMERICAN CUISINE TOUR
Saturday, Nov. 9, (Spanish) and Saturday, Nov. 23, (English)
11 a.m. to noon, Denver Botanic Gardens
$14, $7 Gardens and Museo members; $7 student; $5 child

Inspired by Museo de las Americas’ “La Cocina” exhibition, these tours, offered in Spanish or English (depending on date), highlight tropical edibles used centuries ago in the territory between what is now Mexico and El Salvador, many of which continue to be part of today’s diet.

CHIPOTLE SUSTAINABLE FOOD FILM SERIES: “IN ORGANIC WE TRUST”
Wednesday, Nov. 20, 6-8 p.m., Denver Botanic Gardens
Free

As part of the 2013 Sustainable Food Film Series presented by Chipotle Mexican Grill, the film “In Organic We Trust”is screened, along with a post film panel discussion and Chipotle food. “In Organic We Trust” examines the truth and misconceptions behind the benefits of organic food, through conversations with farmers, organic certifiers scientists and critics.

HEALTHY FALL DESSERTS
Saturday, Nov. 23, 2-4 p.m., Denver Botanic Gardens
$44, $39 member (materials included)

Professional pastry chef and instructor DeJa Walker teaches participants to prepare natural, healthy desserts, showcasing seasonal flavors including raw nuts, goat’s milk and honey, as well as fresh local apples and pumpkins.

 
HOLIDAY 
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FIELD OF THE UNDEAD HAUNTED TRAIL
Friday and Saturday nights in October, 7:30-11 p.m.
Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield
$15 per person

You’ll be able to venture through our 2-acre haunted corn field at Chatfield. Experience thrills and chills as you try to make your way out! There will be no costumes allowed and Field of the Undead is not recommended for young children.

CANNING FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Sunday, Nov. 3, 2-5 p.m., Denver Botanic Gardens
$45 (materials included)

Sundari Kraft of Heirloom Gardens and EatWhereULive leads participants in the art of canning. The class includes instruction in the basics of water bath canning, as well as recipes and information about canning equipment and food safety issues. Participants will make pear and vanilla bean jam, caramelized onion confit and spiced tomato jam, and receive a jar of each.

FRENCH FETE FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Sunday, Nov. 10, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Denver Botanic Gardens
$62, $57 member (dinner included)

Instructor Lee Clayton Roper, co-author of the award-winning cookbook “A Well-Seasoned Kitchen,” leads participants through the basics of creating a menu full of French-inspired dishes for a holiday dinner party, including smoked trout patè, tomato basil bisque, boeuf bourguignon, herbed mashed potatoes, spinach salad with lemon-dijon dressing, eggnog and white chocolate pots de crème. Recognized as an expert hostess, Roper will also share tips on throwing a successful dinner party. Recipes and dinner included.

HOLIDAY SALE
Friday, Nov. 15 and Saturday, Nov. 16, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Denver Botanic Gardens
$8; free for members and children 15 and under

Denver Botanic Gardens’ annual holiday sale offers wares including handcrafted items, specialty foods, clothing and more from a variety of vendors. An assortment of Denver Botanic Gardens’ Guild homemade gourmet herbal vinegars will also be available, as well as rare collectibles and antique furniture.

BLOSSOMS OF LIGHT
November 29 – January 1
Denver Botanic Gardens
Check here for admission costs and more info.

Over one million colorful lights are draped in elegant designs throughout the Gardens at York Street, highlighting the natural beauty and holiday spirit. Animated light sculptures, and elaborate displays synchronized to holiday songs are also featured. The popular HoloSpex 3-D glasses return this year along with seasonal entertainment on select evenings. Warm drinks and treats will be available for purchase.

TRAILS OF LIGHT
November 29 – January 1
Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield
Check here for admission costs and more info.

Trail of Lights is spread throughout Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield. There are two trails:  a short route that leads directly to the children’s play area and an extended path that allows visitors to explore the Green Farm Barn and silo before continuing onto the children’s area and the 1880s homestead. Lights are synchronized to holiday music and the popular HoloSpex 3-D glasses return this year. There is a warming hut and fire pit, free hayrides on select evenings and illuminated antique tractors. Warm drinks and treats will be available for purchase.

ARTS, CULTURE & GARDENING ————————————————

FALL BONSAI EXHIBIT
Monday, September 30 through Sunday, October 6
September 30, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Oct. 1-6, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Denver Botanic Gardens
Included with general admission

Enjoy the fall bonsai exhibit featuring the artists of the Rocky Mountain Bonsai Society.

CATALYST: COLORADO SCULPTURE, SIGNATURE EXHIBIT
Through January 12,
Denver Botanic Gardens
Included with general admission

Denver Botanic Gardens celebrates the achievements and vision of Colorado sculptors in this outdoor group exhibition. Participating artists include Emmett Culligan, Kim Dickey, Linda Fleming, Nancy Lovendahl, Terry Maker, Robert Mangold, Patrick Marold, Andy Miller, Pard Morrison, Carl Reed, Yoshitomo Saito and James Surls.

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS
Friday, Nov. 1, 3-8 p.m., Denver Botanic Gardens
$12, $10 member; $8 child, $6 member child; children two and under free

Denver Botanic Gardens celebrates Día de los Muertos or “Day of the Dead,” with activities including a sugar skull workshop, sunset candlelight procession, face painting, costume contest and photo booth. Attendees will also enjoy paper altars by Museo de las Americas, masks by Denver Art Museum and a community altar exhibition.

ZEN AND THE ART OF TEA
Sunday, November 3rd, 2-4 p.m., Denver Botanic Gardens
$33; $28 member (materials included)

Participants take part in Gong Fu Cha, a traditional Chinese tea ceremony, sampling oolong teas and learning about various types of tea ceremonies and their origins. They also learn ways in which to integrate the four principles of tea – harmony, respect, purity and tranquility – into everyday life.