The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden’s Autumn at the Arboretum has been named one of the top fall festivals in the U.S. by U.S. News and World Report.
Photo by Danny Fulgencio/Advocate Magazine
U.S. News recently compiled a list of the top 19 autumnal events taking place around the country, featuring seasonal heavyweights like Oktoberfest Zinnzinnati and the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.
Autumn at the Arboretum joins San Antonio’s Day of the Dead festivities as the only Texas events featured in the list. Among the highlighted festivals, Autumn at the Arboretum was lauded for “the addition of 100,000 locally sourced pumpkins, gourds and squash, creating one of the nation’s top autumn attractions.”
The pumpkins, gourds and squash — hailing from the West Texas pumpkin hotspot Floydada — are used to create a seasonal landscape of patches, mazes and buildings for the annual festival.
The Pumpkin Village, a collection of made-with-pumpkin structures which has become a yearly fixture of the festivities, has returned with a brand-new theme. Dubbed “Texas Town,” the hamlet of pumpkin buildings is designed to give visitors a sense of Lone Star pioneer life.
There is also a maze for those looking to test their wits, and, of course, a pumpkin, gourd and squash patch. There is a guided hike of the pumpkin patch each Thursday at 10 a.m.
While pumpkins may be the star of the show, gourds get their share of the spotlight as well. On Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m, visitors can visit the gourd patch to watch artists create gourd jewelry and art, which is available for purchase. There will be a gourd show and sale with a vendor market on Friday, Nov. 1 at A Tasteful Place.
This year will mark the first time that the Pumpkin Village is opened to the public for nightime festivities, with the debut of pumpkins and pints nights. On Oct. 6, 15, 20 & 25 guests can explore the patches with local craft beers and wine from 6-9 p.m. Tickets for non-member adults are available for $22.
On top of the pumpkin-related fanfare, the Arboretum’s gardens will teem with 150,000 fall blooming plants this season.
Autumn at the Arboretum runs until Nov. 3. Admission is included with general garden admission.
