Last night, McRae Park played host to the Minneapolis Arbor Day Celebration, with festivities drawing in locals from around the city. The green bash lasted from 4 pm to 8 pm, offering revelers the chance to enjoy live music, feast on goodies from food trucks, and enjoy suds in a beer garden, according to a bulletin by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB).
Once rescheduled, the event did not fail to entertain, serving both as homage and a call to action for the preservation of Minneapolis' extensive tree canopy. Attendees got to help in planting 65 trees at the park, ensuring the canopy's future expansion. A beer garden and a variety of tree-themed activities made sure there was something for everyone, as detailed on minneapolisparks.org/arborday.
The MPRB Forestry Department and various community partners created a hands-on experience, allowing guests to literally get their hands dirty by helping to plant a tree. Planting sessions, led by forestry staff, took place every half hour between 4:30 pm and 6:30 pm. In addition, Bartlett Tree Experts handed out free tree seedlings for attendees to take and plant at home.
For those looking to gain a little knowledge or just to have some fun, the celebration featured an Ask an Arborist booth for tree care advice and a nature play area built from reused tree limbs. Live entertainment didn't disappoint, with the sounds of Brass Solidarity and The Arborators, the latter a band of forestry professionals who literally took to the trees, performing elevated above the ground. A plethora of environmental organizations are set up to educate and engage with the community, inspiring the newest generations to continue to care passionately for our shared environment.
Children had their own slice of the action with the chance to climb trees under professional supervision and participate in the Sapling Dash, part of the Brewery Running Series' annual Arbor Day Run. A Tree-sized version of chess and other lawn games rounded out the event, making sure there was no shortage of fun for the kids involved.
This year's Arbor Day Celebration was more than just a nod to nature; it was a unifying experience for the Field, Regina, and Northrop neighborhoods. The event perfectly captured the spirit of community engagement and environmental stewardship, setting a lively example for cities everywhere on how to successfully celebrate and preserve their natural landscapes.
