LAKE WALES, Fla. – After months of construction, the successful conclusion of the “Preserve the Legacy, Steward the Future” capital campaign, and the active implementation of a new relationship, Bok Tower Gardens and the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences’ fruitful partnership comes into full bloom with the opening of several highly anticipated garden areas.

The grand opening celebration, on Saturday, Sept. 10, will feature the Pollinator Garden, Hammock Hollow Children’s Garden, Wild Garden, Outdoor Kitchen and Edible Garden. The Gardens will open at 8 a.m. and general admission will be free for this historic event.

“It has been a long journey since construction began in October 2014 and we are so excited to share these new Gardens with our visitors,” said Bok Tower Gardens president David Price. “This grand opening celebration salutes the work of our board, donors, members and staff who recognized this vision would lead to big improvements without changing the spirit of the Gardens.”

The celebration will begin at 10 a.m. with a special ribbon cutting dedication and remarks from Gardens’ president David Price, board of directors chair Cindy Alexander, board of directors vice chair Tomas Bok and Nick Place, dean and director of UF/IFAS Extension.

“This partnership between UF/IFAS Extension and Bok Tower Gardens not only helps us affect positive change in the community, but also make the world better,” Place said. “UF/IFAS Extension is dedicated to helping people connect with agriculture and natural resources, on which our survival and quality of life depends. We are thrilled to collaborate with Bok Tower Gardens to offer visitors new experiences and programming that do just that.”

UF/IFAS is a federal-state-county partnership dedicated to developing knowledge in agriculture, human and natural resources, and the life sciences, and enhancing and sustaining the quality of human life by making that information accessible. With agricultural Extension offices in all 67 Florida counties, UF/IFAS has developed an international reputation for its accomplishments in teaching, research and Extension.

The day will feature culinary demonstrations in the Outdoor Kitchen with celebrated UF/IFAS Extension Chef David Bearl. He will provide two cooking demonstrations and will be joined in the Outdoor Kitchen by UF/IFAS Extension Polk County Master Gardeners. Bearl trains program assistants in the UF/IFAS Extension Family Nutrition Program and is the UF/IFAS Extension Farm to School chef. He is certified by the American Culinary Federation.

Schedule of Events for Grand Opening Celebration

• Nature guides and educators, animal encounters, live music, Native American demonstrations, creative play activities, Sandy Music Girls in concert and more in the Hammock Hollow Children’s Garden from 10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Guided tours of the Wild Garden at 11a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.
• Interpretive guides in the Pollinator & Edible Garden from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• UF/IFAS Extension hands-on learning exhibits and plant giveaway in the Alexander Discovery Center from 11a.m. – 3 p.m.
• UF/IFAS Extension Polk County Master Gardeners Information Booth in the Edible Garden from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• Cooking demonstrations by Chef Bearl and other guest chefs in the Outdoor Kitchen at 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
• Live carillon concerts featuring childhood music favorites at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

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By: Beverly James, 352-273-3566, beverlymjames@ufl.edu

Source: Erica Smith, 863-734-1210; esmith@boktower.org

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