Peanuts gang takes over pumpkin patch

By Juliette Coulter

For the 14th year, Autumn at the Arboretum highlights the nationally acclaimed Pumpkin Village featuring pumpkin houses and creative displays utilizing more than 90,000 pumpkins, gourds and squash. The festival runs through Oct. 31. 

With the theme, “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,” the Dallas Arboretum’s favorite fall festival features “Great Pumpkin” topiary characters such as Linus, Sally and Franklin looking through the pumpkin patch; Snoopy and Woodstock sitting atop his dog house; Lucy giving garden advice at her advice booth; and Schroeder standing near his giant topiary piano. Guests can snap selfies with Charlie Brown, Peppermint Patty and Marcie behind the iconic brick wall, get lost with Pig Pen in the hay bale maze, and see the Peanuts Gang at their gourd decorated school house for their autumn carnival. Named one of “The Best Pumpkin Festivals to Visit This Fall,” by Martha Stewart Living Magazine, the festival features breathtaking colors of fall, including 150,000 autumn flowers accented by pumpkins, gourds and squash. 

“Known for amazing and creative displays, our 50-member horticulture team creates an awesome Pumpkin Village display where more than 250,000 people visit during Autumn at the Arboretum. They experience the garden in its fall glory, walk in the pumpkin houses and enjoy the programming throughout the garden,” said Alan Walne, Dallas Arboretum’s board chairman.

Additional favorites include a visit to A Tasteful Place, the newly opened 3.5-acre food, herb and vegetable garden, with three free daily tastings featuring savory samples of seasonal produce. 

Weekly activities include free Monday cooking demonstrations with El Centro College Cooks, along with activities throughout the week including vendor demonstrations, cooking classes, garden-to-table dinners and more. Visitors can also explore the eight-acre Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden, where science and fun become one. The young and young-at-heart can enjoy learning from more than 150 interactive science exhibits, plant labs and the OmniGlobe. Don’t miss out on a special spooky late night at the Rory Meyer’s Children’s Adventure Garden on Oct. 25 and 26. Tricks and treats at every turn. For more information, call 214-515-6500 or visit dallasarboretum.org.