In addition to being a celebration of our kousa dogwoods, the first weekend is also a celebrations of families - both human and canine! Join us for a Sunrise Coffee and Birding, Sun's Up Sheep Shearing, and one of our favorite events: Dogs and Dogwoods - this year being celebrated on both Saturday and Sunday with the highlight of the day at 1:00 pm -  a low-key and fun dog show where everyone gets a ribbon!

Bring a blanket and a picnic and enjoy a fun day topped off with a stroll among the dogwoods.

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SATURDAY JUNE 5: Open Hours 9:00am - 3:00pm - FAMILY AND KIDS’ DAY

Dogwood Days kicks-off with a weekend full of events for kids and families. Join us for a self-guided scavenger hunt, visits with the animals, kids’ arts, DIY picnic and games.

Some events require pre-registration; see schedule below:

7:00am - Sunrise Coffee and Birding - register here.

The arboretum is home to a wide variety of birds, including songbirds, flycatchers and woodpeckers. Join Executive Director Mark Smith for a cup of coffee and an early morning stroll through the woods and formal gardens to catch a glimpse of the birds of the property; if we’re lucky, we may see the pair of pileated woodpeckers who are nesting here. Space is limited. Register here.

8:00am - Sun's up Sheep Shearing

Observe Kevin Ford, aka "The Blade," shear our three sheep, Dart, Bug and Ashe, using traditional method of long shears. He's fast, so it'll be quick but visitors can look up-close at the fleeces and hear about the process.

1:00pm - Dogs and Dogwoods 

Our annual “Dogs and Dogwoods” is back - an informal dog show where every canine is a winner! Dogs must be well-mannered and kept on a leash at all times. Space is limited.

2:00pm - Guided tour

There will be a guided tour of the formal gardens each day during Dogwood Days including a stroll through hundreds of blooming kousa dogwood trees cultivated and planted by the late Polly Wakefield.

SUNDAY JUNE 6: Open Hours 9:00am - 3:00pm - FAMILY AND KIDS’ DAY

Dogwood Days’ opening weekend is full of events for kids and families. Join us for a self-guided scavenger hunt, visits with the animals, kids’ arts, DIY picnic and games.

Some events require pre-registration; see schedule below:

1:00pm - Dogs and Dogwoods - See description above.

2:00pm - Guided tour - See description above.