Birds in Paradise debuts at this year’s Dallas Blooms festival at the Dallas Arboretum Feb. 19 and runs through April 10. As the largest annual floral festival in the southwest, Dallas Blooms was acclaimed as one of the “Best Places to See Stunning Spring Blooms Across the South” by Southern Living Magazine.
This year’s festival is presented by Veritex Community Bank, and will feature larger-than-life “birds of paradise,” peacock topiaries along with more than 500,000 spring-blooming bulbs. An explosion of spring flowers comes from 100 varieties of spring bulbs, thousands of azaleas, and hundreds of Japanese cherry trees.
The Caroline Rose Hunt opening family fun weekend of Dallas Blooms kicks off from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat. Activities include Critters Petting Zoo and face painting in Pecan Grove starting at 0 a.m., and family keepsake photos by the Arboretum’s Volunteer advisory Board from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. (with donations) at Jonnson Color Garden Wishing Well.
Birds in Paradise Activities
Photo: Dallas Arboretum
At 10 a.m., Walk this Way with volunteers Denise and Max Davis to see the blooming fruit trees, (Main Entry Plaza). Join the Dallas Zoo’s Animal Adventures Program to meet 5-7 ambassador animals at 10:30 a.m. (Martin Rutchik Concert Stage & Lawn).
From 12 noon to 2 p.m., Carly Carroll performs (Jeanne’s Pavilion)l and Missing 3, a top 40 rock band, performs from 2-4 p.m. (Martin Rutchik Concert Stage & Lawn).
At A Tasteful Place, join Jennifer Bristol, former Texas Children in Nature Network state coordinator, at 10 a.m. for a fun morning of birding. She will be discussing her new book, Parking Lot Birding: A Fun Guide to Discovering Birds in Texas, followed by her bird walk starting at A Tasteful Place.
Learn how to make a cherry cobbler with Kevin the Pie Dude at 11 a.m. Lucca and Livvy Nitro Pressed Juices are featured from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., along with Lil’ Red Flower Truck flower sales from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Vector Brewing Company’s co-owner and Creative Director Craig Bradley passes out samples of heartier “winter” beers at Three Sisters Overlook. Samples of the hero vegetable will be available daily.
Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden
Photo: Dallas Arboretum
Sunday, February 20, 10;30 a.m. Visit Window to the Wild on the Martin Rutchik Concert Stage & Lawn, and at 11 a.m. Learn how to make a cherry cobbler with Kevin the Pie Dude (A Tasteful Place). From 12 noon-2 p.m., Dave Garrison performs at Jeanne’s Pavilion; and from 2-4 p.m., the Colton Hamilton Band performs at Martin Rutchik Concert Stage & Lawn. Daily: Samples of seasonal produce are available at A Tasteful Place.
Reopened for the spring, the nationally acclaimed Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden features 17 indoor/outdoor galleries, 150 interactive science games and daily events and activities of themed adventures throughout the Dallas Blooms festival.
At 10 a.m. Saturday, join Eddie the Eagle, beloved Children’s Adventure Garden mascot, to learn about our national bird, plus family photos available at Exploration Center Plaza. At 1 p.m., Frontiers of Flight Museum explores the aerodynamics of birds (Exploration Center Plaza). Eddie the Eagle returns at 10 a.m. Sunday (Exploration Center Plaza).
The Children’s Adventure Garden is open daily from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. For a full list of upcoming events and activities, visit dallasarboretum.org.
Timed tickets are required and can be purchased online or by calling 214-515-6615. No walk-ups are available for purchase. For the latest information, visit dallasarboretum.org. Discounts include BOGO (Buy One, Get One Free) on Wednesdays (except for March 16). CC Young Senior Living Thursdays (65 years and older receive discounted admission and 20% off in the Gift Store).
Presenting Sponsor is Veritex Community Bank, with additional sponsors: JHP Architecture/Urban Designs, CC Young Senior Living, Texas Telcom Credit Union.
The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is located on the southeastern shore of White Rock Lake at 8525 Garland Road in Dallas. The garden is also home of the nationally acclaimed Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden. It is open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Daytime festival admission is $20 for adults, $16 for seniors 65 and older, $12 for children 2-12, and free for Arboretum members and children under two. Parking is $11 purchased online.
