The Alternative Press

MILLBURN, NJ - One of the longer-tenured facilities in Millburn is the Cora Hartshorn Arboretum and Saturday afternoon, they held their first fall festival. Many parents and children from the community attended the event.

According to their website, their goal is to promote an understanding of the relationship between people and the environment through programs that integrate arts, science and the humanities. The Arboretum provides services to local schools, community institutions and citizens of all ages.

It is owned by the town, has 16 acres of land and conducts four major activities: education, outreach, research and zoological/horticultural display. They also have after school programs, camp for children in the summer and many activities for all ages that take place year round. 

Executive Director Judy Trigg said she was excited for the festival and anticipated many people coming.

“We’re doing a fall festival to get people to come to the arboretum to see all the changes that we have made,” Trigg said.

She encourages people to come to the facility because throughout the year there are guest speakers, beautiful trails to walk on and many educational things for children to do.  

“It’s a nice place to walk around and reflect,” she said referring to the tails. “It’s a nice family experience.”

Claire Bonahoon, who was there with her son Malcolm, said they have been coming to the arboretum since he was young. Malcolm went to camp there and took classes as well.

“We really like coming to 'Creatures of the Night' at Halloween,” Bonahoon said.

Trisha Karan said she and her son Joseph love coming to the arboretum. Karan said whenever Joseph goes there; he has fun and learns which is important.  He really enjoyed the apple cider press and the bees that were encased in glass she said.

“We just love coming to the arboretum, because it’s such a special little place,” she said.  

The festival featured pumpkin painting, a pie eating contest, apple cider making, a scavenger hunt, a costume parade, a bee hive presentation, a live animal show, a recycling presentation by Eagle Scout Derek Edmond and food.