Chicago Botanic Garden

for immediate release

Model Sailboats Cruise through the
Chicago Botanic Garden

Sunday, September 20

 

Media Only:
Julie McCaffrey
(847) 835-8213, direct
jmccaffrey@chicagobotanic.org

GLENCOE, Ill. (Aug. 20, 2009)—The Chicago Botanic Garden is pleased to present Model Sailboat Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on September 20. Boating enthusiasts, young and old alike, watch as the Chicago Radio Controlled Model Yacht Club races model sailboats in the North Lake, just off the Waterside Terrace on the Esplanade. Take in spectacular views of the Smith Fountain and Bird Island as you learn about building and operating model sailboats from the club members. The boats are each 39 inches long, 65 inches tall and weigh 10 pounds. This event is held weather permitting.

The same weekend, enjoy the Lakeshore African Violet Society Show & Sale, noon to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 19, and 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, September 20, in the Regenstein Center. Then, learn new recipes using garden fresh ingredients in the Kitchen Amphitheater at the Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden, as part of the Garden Chef Series, featuring chefs Mary Ellen Diaz of First Slice Pie Café and Chris Nugent of Les Nomades in Chicago. Cooking demonstrations occur at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

The Famers’ Market will also be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, September 20, just north of the Visitor Center. Market vendors will sell fruits and vegetables, free-range meats, freshly baked goods, vegetable and flower starts, large potted plants, and stoneware pottery. Visitors can purchase a special reusable market bag to carry their purchases from the market.

Admission to the Chicago Botanic Garden and all events listed above is free. Parking is $20; free for Garden members. For information about the Chicago Botanic Garden's programs and events, call (847) 835-5440, or visit www.chicagobotanic.org.

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Editors, please note: The Chicago Botanic Garden's newsroom is online at www.chicagobotanic.org/pr. For digital images, contact Julie McCaffrey at (847) 835-8213 or at jmccaffrey@chicagobotanic.org.

The Chicago Botanic Garden, one of the green treasures of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, is a 385-acre living plant museum featuring 23 distinct display gardens surrounded by lakes, as well as a prairie and woodlands. With events, programs and activities for all ages, the Garden is open every day of the year. Admission is free; select event fees apply. Parking is $20 per car; free for Garden members. The Garden is located at 1000 Lake Cook Road in Glencoe, Ill. Visit www.chicagobotanic.org, or call (847) 835-5440 for seasonal hours, images of the Garden and commuter transportation information.

The Chicago Botanic Garden is managed by the Chicago Horticultural Society. It opened to the public in 1972 and is home to the Joseph Regenstein, Jr. School of the Chicago Botanic Garden, offering a broad array of adult classes in plant science, landscape design and gardening arts. Through the Division of Plant Science and Conservation, Garden scientists work on plant conservation, research and environmental initiatives that have global impact. The Center for Teaching and Learning brings the wonder of nature and plants to children, teens and teachers. The Garden's Horticultural Therapy and Community Gardening programs provide nationally recognized community outreach and service programs. A program of the Chicago Botanic Garden, Windy City Harvest is an organic vegetable and plant production enterprise that provides instruction in sustainable horticulture and urban agriculture to residents of Chicago’s North Lawndale and West Side neighborhoods.

The Chicago Botanic Garden is accredited by the American Association of Museums and is a member of the American Public Gardens Association (APGA). The Chicago Botanic Garden is also host to Botanic Gardens Conservation International-U.S., and a member of the Center for Plant Conservation. In 2006, the Chicago Botanic Garden received the Award for Garden Excellence, given yearly by the APGA and Horticulture magazine to a public garden that exemplifies the highest standards of horticultural practices and has shown a commitment to supporting and demonstrating best gardening practices.