The Mum Exhibit at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens is taking a spooky turn this year with a MUMster Mash theme. There will be a mad scientist’s lab, a spooky cemetery, ghosts, mummies and, of course, thousands of mums.
The 119th Mum Exhibit will be held from Saturday, Oct. 5 through Sunday, Nov. 3 at the Botanical Gardens, 2655 South Park Ave., South Buffalo. Hours are 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily.
The Mum Exhibit is included with Botanical Gardens admission: $12.50 for adults, $11 for seniors (62+), $11 for students (13+ with ID), $7 for children ages 3-12, and free for Botanical Gardens members and children 2 and under. Tickets can be purchased online or inside the Botanical Gardens at the admission desk.
Plus a Halloween event for kids
The BOOtanical Celebration, a fun, indoor family event, will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19.
The event will revel in all things creepy and crawly. Kids and families can make Halloween-themed crafts at activity stations scattered throughout the Botanical Gardens, learn about spooky plants at the Botanical Gardens and enjoy Halloween treats and prizes. Activities include hands-on crafts such as a venus flytrap, a creepy paper pumpkin, a bat and moon creation, mosaic fall leaves and more.
A special visit from the Ice Queen and Ice Princess will be a highlight of the event.
Organizers encourage kids and parents to wear costumes.
Activities are best aligned for children ages 4-12, and caregivers of the youngest learners are encouraged to assist.
The BOOtanical Celebration is included with Botanical Gardens admission. There are no additional fees for the activities.
And a spooky workshop for kids
A special Halloween themed make-it, take-it workshop for kids, the Spooky Succulent Garden, will be held the same day at 10 a.m. or 2 p.m.
Succulents are desert plants that store water in their leaves. Each participant will create an open garden space in a tray with these thorn-less plants. Organizers will sneak in an educational component and talk about desert biomes, where succulents live, and how they adapt to their environment. Children will add their own creative touches to their succulent garden by choosing from colored sand, gems and a spooky Halloween surprise.
The Spooky Succulent Garden Workshop is $20 for the public and $15 for Botanical Garden members.
Pre-registration is required. Register online or call 716.827.1584, ext. 730.
