This year’s celebration will kick off with a parade at 11 a.m. that will lead into the formal ceremony, which features Keynote Speaker Dr. Jeff Kirwan, retired Professor Emeritus of Forestry from VA Tech, Tree City USA acknowledgements, recognition of Poster Contest winners, and presentation of awards to students by Dr. Ed Hatrick. Throughout the day, there will be many activities, exhibits and demonstrations highlighting the numerous uses and benefits of trees. Come and watch Bartlett use a unique supersonic air excavator, Davey Tree do a hazard tree demo, The Care of Trees design exhibit about “Tree Preservation For Construction”, Shady Lane Tree Movers demo a large tree moving machine, watch lumber being cut by a Wood-Mizer sawmill, see vases and bowls turned on wood lathes, learn proper tree pruning techniques, help plant trees to create a riparian buffer, limber up the kids for a tree climb with Arbor Artists, or just come and enjoy a day at beautiful Morven Park and tour the  Governor’s residence at a discounted price.  Beginning April 25th, daily tours begin of the Governor’s residence and the  Winmill Carriage Collection. 

The Hamilton Ruritan will be selling their tasty Barbecue, Crab cake sandwiches, hot dogs and other refreshments. With the exception of food and drink, everything is free including tree seedlings that will be given away by the Virginia Department of Forestry and Loudoun Soil & Water Conservation District. Home Depot is conducting a “Kids Workshop” and providing free materials for children to build birdhouses. Don’t miss the opportunity to participate in costume making prior to the parade when free materials will be provided at 10 a.m… Further information is available by calling Pat McIlvaine with the Loudoun Soil & Water Conservation District at 703/777-2075, Dana Malone with Loudoun County Building & Development at 703/771-5991, or Debbie Dillion with the Loudoun Extension Office at 703/777-0373.

The origination of Arbor Day originally came from Nebraska. A visit to Nebraska today wouldn’t disclose that the State was once a treeless plain. Yet it was the lack of trees there that led to the founding of Arbor Day in the 1800’s. Among the pioneers moving into the Nebraska Territory in 1854 was J. Sterling Morton from Detroit. He and his wife were lovers of nature, and the home they established in Nebraska was quickly planted with trees, shrubs and flowers. Morton was a journalist and soon became Editor of Nebraska’s first newspaper. Given that forum, he spread agricultural information and his enthusiasm for trees to an equally enthusiastic audience. His fellow pioneers missed their trees. But more importantly, trees were needed as windbreaks to keep soil from blowing and for fuel and building materials, as well as shade from the hot sun.

Today, Arbor Day has spread beyond the United States and is observed in many countries of the world. In some it is the King and Queen who lead the national celebration, and in many countries exotic trees not suited to North America are planted in commemoration of the day.

Arbor Day is organized by the Loudoun Arbor Day Committee to help educate children and adults about the benefits and importance of trees and to encourage tree planting. The Poster Contest in the public school system has been a large part of the Arbor Day festivities since 1992. Posters are created by students from grades K – 12 based upon a new Arbor Day theme each year. This year’s theme is “Barking Up The Right Tree??” The top 50 posters will be judged and on display at the Carriage House. Please join us for a day of tree celebration!