Pumpkin Days

Fall family fun is in the air as the annual Pumpkin
Days celebration returns to Tyler Arboretum in Media, Pa on Saturday and Sunday,
October 19-20, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.!

All are invited to attend the two-day festival at Tyler, which
is not only an enjoyable time filled with family friendly activities, games,
demonstrations, performances and food, but also serves as Tyler’s largest
public fundraiser of the year.

“We really go all out for this,” said Sally Rogers, Special
Events Manager at Tyler. “We prepare for months to make this one of the best
fall festivals in the region. I think our visitors are in for a real treat this
year as we have improved some of the old Pumpkin Days favorites and added some
new activities on the schedule.” 

Indeed,
this year’s lineup of demonstrations and activities has something for everyone on both days. From the classic hay rides, pumpkin patch and pumpkin painting,
scarecrow making, arts and crafts  and
face painting, the 2013 Pumpkin Days will also offer a moon bounce and
inflatable obstacle course, a haunted
tree house, pumpkin
carving demonstrations by William Rush Wood Carvers Club, glitter tattoos and
hair extensions by Venus Beauty Academy, and Stubby the Helicopter from the
American Helicopter Museum and Education Center.

On Saturday, visitors can enjoy music by the Penncrest High School Pep Band and live shows with owls and birds of prey by Baywings Falconry. The fun continues on Sunday with dance performances by Joan’s Dance Studio and a Halloween magic show by Happy the Clown. Various games, a food court and more round out these fun-filled days.

“This is one of our favorite events of the year,” said Rick
Colbert, Executive Director at Tyler. “We love to provide a place for our
community to have a safe and enjoyable day outside where they can delight in
nature’s beautiful autumn setting while participating in some really
entertaining activities.”

All of the proceeds raised during Pumpkin Days go toward Tyler
Arboretum’s general operating budget, thus making it possible to continue
providing quality programs and classes while maintaining over 650 acres of
natural areas.

Of course, this two-day festival is not possible without a
generous amount of volunteer efforts.

“We depend on volunteers year-round, but Pumpkin Days is always
a time when we need as much help as we can get,” said Melissa Hamblin, Volunteer Coordinator at Tyler. “We have need for anyone who is willing to

help, regardless of skill or ability. We also sell baked goods at Pumpkin Days

and we need people to donate their delicious baked goods for the sale.”

More details regarding volunteering and the bake sale are
available at www.tylerarboretum.org/support-2/volunteer. Links
are provided there to sign up for Pumpkin Days volunteer roles and time slots,
or prospective volunteers can contact Melissa Hamblin at (610) 566-9134 ext.
205.

Free parking for Pumpkin Days is exclusively at the Penn State
Brandywine campus, where visitors can catch the complimentary shuttle bus to
and from Tyler Arboretum. Strollers are welcome on the shuttle. Parking at the
Arboretum is reserved for handicapped parking.

Because this is a fundraising event, no free guest passes will
be accepted on October 19-20. Entry fees are $10 for non-member adults, $7 for
non-member children, $4 for member adults, $2 for non-member children and all

children under three years old are free. Some activities require tickets. Tickets
and ticket packages will be available for purchase on site during Pumpkin Days.

Pumpkin Days is sponsored by Wawa, PNC, BeneServ
Corporate Benefit Services and Elko & Associates Certified Public Accountants.
For more information about Pumpkin Days, please visit www.TylerArboretum.org.

About Tyler Arboretum

Tyler Arboretum, one
of the oldest and largest arboreta in the northeastern United States, is an important
community resource and cultural destination. Tyler provides a natural sanctuary for
visitors interested in horticulture, history and the natural world.  Its 650 acres of meadows, wetlands and

unbroken forest can be enjoyed via over 17 miles of hiking trails.  Additional information is available at www.tylerarboretum.org.