Annual Open House and Wine Tasting Festival

Saturday, July 27, 2013
10 AM - 4 PM

In 1965, Donald B. Lacey, the Extension Specialis from the Agriculture School at Rutgers University consulted weather data to determine the date for the very first Open House Festival. According to the Almanac the last Saturday in July is the least likely to have bad weather. For the past 46 years the festival has been held on that Saturday.

Traditionally the Open House features lively and informative tours of Rutgers Gardens, including The Donald B. Lacey Display Garden. The Display Garden contains spectacular plantings of annual, tropical and perennial flowers, as well as herbs and vegetables.

Since education is the key to the Gardens mission, the day also includes Rutgers Cooperative Extension Agents, Program Associates, and Master Gardeners from throughout the state who participate in “Ask the Expert” tables. Horticulture experts provide lectures and information on topics relevant to both the homeowner and professional audience.

General admission policy - Rutgers Gardens Members free (must show your card)
Adults: $5.00 each. Children 17 and under are free. There is an additional $10 fee for those wishing to enter the wine tasting area.

2012 Tour/Seminar Schedule -
Check back to see what will be happening in 2013

Tours-

10:00 am- 2:00 pm	Hourly tours of the Donald B. Lacey Display Garden – Led by Rutgers Gardens Staff, Interns and Volunteers.	Display Garden
10:00 am	Rutgers Gardens Highlights Tour –led by MaryAnne McMillan, Volunteer Coordinator Rutgers Gardens. MaryAnne will show you see the newest features as well as some favorite spots in the Gardens.	Meet at the Potting Shed gift shop
12:00 pm	New Introductions Tour - led by Ira Grasgreen, Eason Horticultural Resources. Ira will show off the newest annual flower introductions for 2012 planted in the Donald B. Lacey Display Garden.	Display Garden

Educational Seminars-

10:00 am	Educational Seminar Inner Light Yoga, North Brunswick - Yoga demonstration	Evergreen Garden
11:00	Educational Seminar “Aroma therapy for Your Senses”- Join Gwenn Fried, from the Rusk Glass Garden at NYU Medical Center to learn about the practice of using the natural oils extracted from flowers, bark, stems, leaves, roots or other parts of a plant to enhance psychological and physical well-being.	Evergreen Garden
1:30 pm	Educational Seminar “Wine for your Senses” Brian Hammill of Brian’s Wine and Liquor Emporium, Piscataway	Evergreen Garden
2:30 pm	Educational Seminar “Summer Planting and Pruning”. Learn all about taking care of your Garden during the summer months with Bruce Crawford, Director of Rutgers Gardens.	Evergreen Garden

Day Long Activities

Children’s Activities

10:00 – 4:00 pm	Children's Activity Explore the Community Youth Vegetable Garden and participate in children’s activities.	Community Youth Vegetable Garden
10:00 am-4:00 pm	“Ask The Expert” Clinic - Rutgers Cooperative Extension Agents, Program Associates, and the Master Gardeners from throughout the state will participate in “Ask the Expert” to answer your gardening questions.	Log Cabin Road
11:00 am-3:30 pm	Live Music - Acoustic guitar and violin duo by Kaplan Caluori	Log Cabin Road
10:00 am 4:00 pm	Wine Garden - Featuring New Jersey vineyards. $10.00 gate fee which includes a souvenier wine glass.	Sun and Shade Garden
10:00 am -4:00 pm	Garden Market Place - Local artisans	Log Cabin Road
10:00am 4:00 pm	"Gardening For The Senses" - Rutgers Gardens volunteer will help you to explore the world of plants with your 5 senses.	Log Cabin Road

Wine Tasting - Taste and purchase your favorite New Jersey wines

Auburn Road	Chestnut Run Farm	Plagidos	Unionville	Wagonhouse Winery

Culinary Garden - Food sampling and demonstrations featuring local Restaurants

A Better World	Fantastic Thai	Pastora

If you are interested in becoming a vendor for our 2013 Garden Marketplace

Vendor Application

Questions Please contact: Mary Ann Schrum .

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