Rochester's Annual Arbor Day Celebration
Partnering Sponsors - Rochester Public Utilities (RPU), Maier Tree & Lawn, Rochester Parks & Recreation, and Sargent's Gardens hold an Annual Arbor Day Celebration on the last Friday in April every year.
The celebration is held between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. in Rochester and is open to the public. The festivities include live music, lunch, free trees, various vendors, and many family activities. Winners of the elementary school Arbor Day Poster Contest are also announced.
This year, the 21st Annual Arbor Day Celebration, will be on Friday, April 28, 2023 at Three Links – Silver Lake Park, located at 840 7th St NE in Rochester. As in past years, if there is extreme weather, the event will move indoors to Rochester Community and Technical College's Field House.
Co-Sponsors include ArborWise, Hy-Vee, Jim Whiting Nursery & Garden Center, Minnesota Energy Resources, Pepsi, Sekapp Orchard,and Seneca Foods.
Participants include Mucksota Topsoil, Olmsted County Environmental Resources, Olmsted Soil & Water Conservation District, Rochester Art Center, Rochester Fire Department, Rochester Police Department, Rochester Public Library, Rochester Water Reclamation Plant, SCHEELS, Spark, and Zumbro Valley Audubon.
The festivities include:
- Free Admission
- Free Food - Hot Dogs, Chips, Corn on the Cob, Cookies, and Soda
- Presentation of the 2023 Poster Contest Winners
- Live Music from PK Mayo Quartet
- Smokey the Bear
- Free Trees
- Chainsaw Carving by Steve Elliott
- Giveaways
- Family Activities including:
- Go! Play! Explore! Mobile Rec trailer
- Bean Bag Toss Game
- Give Recycling A Shot Game
- Tree Cookie Stacking
- Tree Ring Toss Game
- Tree Medallion Necklaces
- Bird Wheel of Fortune Game
- Apple Toss Game
- And much more!
Download the 2023 Arbor Day Flyer for more information.
Check out the video below from our 2022 Arbor Day Celebration. In addition, save the date for next year's Arbor Day Celebration on Friday, April 26, 2024!
Arbor Day Poster Contest
Last year, RPU held their annual elementary school Arbor Day Poster Contest with the theme is “Trees are Terrific & They Keep Our Water Clean!” The winners were recognized at the 2022 Arbor Day Celebration and their artwork is featured in RPU's 2023 Calendar.
The 2022 Poster Contest Winners (click to view the winner poster):
- Overall: Sophie Liu, 5th Grade - Mrs. Barlow – Washington Elementary
- First Grade: Jacob Hansen - Mrs. Schad - Jefferson Elementary
- Second Grade: Lauren Winter - Mrs. Witter - Gibbs Elementary
- Third Grade: Shaarav Nawale - Mrs. Seefeldt - Washington Elementary
- Fourth Grade: Stella Huelsbeck - Mrs. Osowski - Jefferson Elementary
- Fifth Grade: Eleanor Ribikawskis - Mr. Paul - Bishop Elementary
