AppleJack Festival Brings New Attractions at Arbor Day Farm

10/05/05
Nebraska City, Nebraska, September 12, 2005 - Celebrate this year’s AppleJack Festival, September 17-18, the fall harvest celebration at Arbor Day Farm. Nature’s Classroom will be the newest attraction at Arbor Day Farm’s Tree Adventure this AppleJack Festival. “Children can interact with nature in a fun, hands-on way that allows them to build connections with and appreciate the miracle of nature,” said Susan Wirth, Education Director at Arbor Day Farm. Playing the Meandering Wooden Marimba, building with tree blocks, dancing on the wooden stage or creating nature art are just a few of the many activities available at the new Nature’s Classroom.

Also new this year at the Tree Adventure: the Hero Gallery, the Exploratory Trail, and the Exploratory Tree House, all dedicated last April. “With our newest facilities, guests can now get even deeper into the heart of South Table Creek and the surrounding forest,” said Doug Farrar, Vice President of Arbor Day Farm. “They can explore the stream bed and wildlife found there, visit the Exploratory Tree House, and tour the Hero Gallery, a tree shipping center that is dedicated to the tree-planting heroes of today who are keeping the spirit of Arbor Day alive.” There are special events and activities throughout the fall season.

Special AppleJack presentations include tree planting demonstrations throughout the weekend, tree climbing, an ice cream social, jelly and antique apple tasting, apple wine samplings, a craft show, and train rides for children. Take a tour of the orchards, pick your own apples, and learn about the Preservation Orchard, producing such unique antique apples as the Wolf River, the petite “Lady” Apple, or the Chenango Strawberry, which may resemble a strawberry in color and markings, but is all apple in taste.

Guests to the farm can also enjoy such traditional favorites as a visit to the Apple House, center of orchard processing operations, to watch “Rube,” the vintage, World War II-era apple sorter in operation. Fresh cider and apples from the farm are available at the Apple House. The National park-like Lied Lodge & Conference Center also welcomes guests throughout the weekend, offering 144 guest rooms and exquisite dining in the Timber Room, voted a “Best of the Road” by Rand McNally. Relax by the two-story fireplace, enjoy dinner by candlelight on the Sunset Terrace, a lap in the Olympic size pool, and rest with your favorite beverage in the Library Lounge.

Receive a tree seedling to take home and plant, a tree identification guide and a fun discovery game with your paid admission to the Tree Adventure. Enjoy popular features of the Tree Adventure including the Tree House Trail, the 50-foot high Canopy Tree House, Woodland Pavilion, Hero Gallery, Lied Greenhouse, and the Exploratory Tree House and Trail. Adults $6.00, children ages 4-12 years $4.00, children ages 3 and under free. The Tree Adventure is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day during the fall.

Information on Arbor Day Farm and the AppleJack celebration is available by calling
(402) 873-8717 or by visiting arborday.org/festival.

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