Public Festival to be Held at The NCSU Arboretum on Nov. 2

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The North Carolina State University Arboretum will hold its first annual Harvest Festival, a day of family fun, learning and musical entertainment, from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2. The event is open to the public. Admission is free.

The event is "sort of a big, belated Halloween party," says Catherine Knes-Maxwell, development officer for the arboretum. "Visitors are encouraged to wear costumes, and we'll have lots of Halloween-themed entertainment for all ages."

Throughout the day, the Joe Moore Scottish Dancers and the Raleigh Scottish Country Dancers will perform Halloween-themed dances to traditional Celtic music played on bagpipes, hammered dulcimers and other instruments. Other activities include classes on the traditional uses of herbs; storytelling sessions; and children's arts and crafts. (A nominal fee may be charged for some activities to cover the cost of materials.) There also will be food and craft vendors.

For plant lovers, a highlight of the day will be the raffling of a choice landscape plant, a 3-foot-tall deciduous holly, Ilex ?Maryland Beauty,' laden with red berries. Raffle tickets cost $1.

The festival, which will be held rain or shine, is part of an ongoing series of free public events this year celebrating The NCSU Arboretum's 20th anniversary. The arboretum is located at 4301 Beryl Road in Raleigh. For more information, call (919) 515-3132.

-- lucas --