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 22nd Annual Arbor Day Celebration, will be on Friday, April 26, 2024 at the RCTC Community and Technical College's Field House (due to weather).
Co-Sponsors include ArborWise, Culligan of Greater Rochester, Hy-Vee, Jim Whiting Nursery & Garden Center, Kemps, Minnesota Energy Resources, Pepsi, Sekapp Orchard, and Seneca Foods.
Participants include Olmsted County Environmental Resources, Olmsted Soil & Water Conservation District, Rochester Art Center, Rochester Fire Department, Rochester Police Department, Rochester Public Library, Rochester Public Works Environmental Resources, Rochester Water Reclamation Plant, Spark, Weller Brothers, and Zumbro Valley Audubon.
The festivities include:
- Free Admission
- Free Food - Hot Dogs, Chips, Corn on the Cob, Cookies, and Soda
- Presentation of the 2024 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 2024 Arbor Day Flyer for more information.
Check out the video below from our 2023 Arbor Day Celebration. In addition, save the date for next year's Arbor Day Celebration on Friday, April 25, 2025!
Arbor Day Poster Contest
This year RPU held their annual public elementary school Arbor Day Poster Contest with the theme “Trees Are Terrific...For Animals Too!” The winners will be recognized at the 2024 Arbor Day Celebration and their artwork is featured in RPU's 2025 Calendar. See RPU's 2024 Calendar that includes last year's winners.
The 2024 Poster Contest Winners (click to view the winner poster):
- Overall: Shaarav Nawale, 4th Grade - Mrs. Peloquin-Fink - Washington Elementary
- First Grade: Naomi Kaczor - Ms. Beck - Longfellow Elementary
- Second Grade: Hannah Erickson - Mrs. Parker - Gibbs Elementary
- Third Grade: Beckett Frantzen - Mrs. Butler - Gibbs Elementary
- Fourth Grade: Sienna Bunnam – Mr. Lynch - Gibbs Elementary
- Fifth Grade: Addison Waugh - Mr. Wiest - Bishop Elementary