“Boktoberfest celebrates the start of Florida’s gardening season,” explains David Price, Gardens’ president, “where plant lovers and gardeners can come to find a wide variety of Florida plants and learn from experts to help make the most of their garden.”
Some of the plants for sale will include orchids, palms, trees, tropical fruits, Florida natives, ferns, bamboo, roses, heliconias, bromeliads, tillandsia air plants and water lilies. Education will be provided by Master Gardeners, plant societies, garden clubs and the UF-IFAS Extension Service. Florida wildflower expert Dr. Walter Taylor and popular radio host Tom MacCubbin, Florida’s foremost expert on lawn and garden issues, will host educational workshops along with other gardening experts.
This year’s festivities will feature the Jimmy & Eckhard Oktoberfest Show, a three-member lederhosen ensemble performing authentic German music. The group plays instruments from Germany, Austria and Switzerland including long Swiss alphorns the size of trees; a wooden Alpine xylophone, that is often referred to as “wooden laughter;” the “Singing Saw” and more.
Voted “Florida’s Best Garden,” the National Historic Landmark was dedicated in 1929 as a gift from world peace advocate Edward Bok. Nearly 700 acres of conservation lands and gardens surround a 205-foot neo-Gothic and art deco Singing Tower carillon and Pinewood Estate, a 20-room, Mediterranean-style 1930s winter retreat. The popular Central Florida destination is a haven for wildlife with hidden geocaches and rare plants found nowhere else in the world where visitors come to relax and escape the stress of today’s busy world.
Schedule:
Saturday, October 20, 2012
8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Plant Sale
More than 40 plant vendors have been selected to participate in this year’s Plant Sale. These vendors are hand picked for the high quality of their products and their knowledgeable staff.
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Children & Family Activities
A special area with activities will be set up for families on the southwest side of the parking lot. Activities include a petting zoo (free entrance, $1 food for animals), a scarecrow photo-op station, a pumpkin painting station ($1 per person), face painting and airbrush tattoos ($4-10).
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Pinewood Estate tours ($5 per person)
Tour the 20-room Mediterranean style mansion which is located on the west side of the Gardens. Shuttle pickup is available to and from Pinewood Estate from the Visitor Center parking lot all day.
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Family Tree Climbing ($12 per person)
Scale on of our large oak trees near the Singing Tower. Led by qualified trainers with Pathfinder Outdoor Education, participants will use ropes, harnesses and helmets for safety.
10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Biergarten
Enjoy the delicious food and drinks from Little Joe’s Grille in the Biergarten while taking in the entertainment from the main stage.
10 – 11:30 a.m. David Smith, Jazz Guitarist
Performing on the main stage in the Biergarten, David Smith specializes in music from the 50s and 60s.
11:30 a.m. – noon Juggles The Clown
Juggles The Clown brings fun for the whole family to the main stage in the Biergarten with juggling, magic and balloon animals!
noon – 2 p.m. Jimmy & Eckhard Oktoberfest Show
Enjoy lunch and a set of traditional German folk entertainment complete with accordions, Alpine Horn, Singing Saw, Alpine Bells and Wooden Laughter!
1 – 1:30 p.m. Live Carillon Concert
Enjoy the music of the Singing Tower carillon with a special half-hour live performance. Meet the carillonneur after the performance by the Information Booth.
2 – 3 p.m. Guest Speaker Tom MacCubbin
Florida’s foremost expert on lawn and garden issues is back to share his green-thumb wisdom with an interactive lecture in the Visitor Center’s Magnolia Room.
2 – 4 p.m. Capt. Ron
An acoustic performance on the Biergarten main stage featuring some of your favorite tunes from “Rocketman” to “Margaritaville.”
3 – 3:30 p.m. Live Carillon Concert
Enjoy the music of the Singing Tower carillon with a special half-hour live performance. Meet the carillonneur after the performance by the Information Booth.
4 – 4:30 p.m. Juggles The Clown
Juggles The Clown brings fun for the whole family to the main stage in the Biergarten with juggling, magic and balloon animals!
4:30 – 6:30 p.m. The Porchdogs
This cajun and zydeco band has played to sold out shows in our Live at the Gardens Summer Concert Series for several years now. Don’t miss this free performance that will close down the Biergarten in style on the main stage.
Food
Drinks
8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Plant Sale
More than 40 plant vendors have been selected to participate in this year’s Plant Sale. These vendors are hand picked for the high quality of their products and their knowledgeable staff.
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Children & Family Activities
A special area with activities will be set up for families on the southwest side of the parking lot. Activities include a petting zoo (free entrance, $1 food for animals), a scarecrow photo-op station, a pumpkin painting station ($1 per person), face painting and airbrush tattoos ($4-10).
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Pinewood Estate tours ($5 per person)
Tour the 20-room Mediterranean style mansion which is located on the west side of the Gardens. Shuttle pickup is available to and from Pinewood Estate from the Visitor Center parking lot all day.
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Family Tree Climbing ($12 per person)
Scale on of our large oak trees near the Singing Tower. Led by qualified trainers with Pathfinder Outdoor Education, participants will use ropes, harnesses and helmets for safety.
10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Biergarten
Enjoy the delicious food and drinks from Little Joe’s Grille in the Biergarten while taking in the entertainment from the main stage.
10 – 11:30 a.m. David Smith, Jazz Guitarist
Performing on the main stage in the Biergarten, David Smith specializes in music from the 50s and 60s.
11:30 a.m. – noon Juggles The Clown
Juggles The Clown brings fun for the whole family to the main stage in the Biergarten with juggling, magic and balloon animals!
noon – 2 p.m. Jimmy & Eckhard Oktoberfest Show
Enjoy lunch and a set of traditional German folk entertainment complete with accordions, Alpine Horn, Singing Saw, Alpine Bells and Wooden Laughter!
1 – 1:30 p.m. Live Carillon Concert
Enjoy the music of the Singing Tower carillon with a special half-hour live performance. Meet the carillonneur after the performance by the Information Booth.
2 – 3 p.m. Guest Speaker Tom MacCubbin
Florida’s foremost expert on lawn and garden issues is back to share his green-thumb wisdom with an interactive lecture in the Visitor Center’s Magnolia Room.
2 – 4 p.m. Capt. Ron
An acoustic performance on the Biergarten main stage featuring some of your favorite tunes from “Rocketman” to “Margaritaville.”
3 – 3:30 p.m. Live Carillon Concert
Enjoy the music of the Singing Tower carillon with a special half-hour live performance. Meet the carillonneur after the performance by the Information Booth.
4 – 4:30 p.m. Juggles The Clown
Juggles The Clown brings fun for the whole family to the main stage in the Biergarten with juggling, magic and balloon animals!
4:30 – 6:30 p.m. The Porchdogs
This cajun and zydeco band has played to sold out shows in our Live at the Gardens Summer Concert Series for several years now. Don’t miss this free performance that will close down the Biergarten in style on the main stage.
Food
- Potato Pancakes
- Bratwurst
- Chicken on a Stick
- Italian & Polish Sausage
- Nuts
- Ice Cream
- Hamburgers
- Hot Dogs
- Corn Dogs
- Cabbage & Noodles
- Veggie Wraps
- Greek options with tabouleh and hummus
- Funnel Cake
Drinks
- Keg beer (Sam Adams Oktoberfest, Warsteiner) & craft beer (Blond Ale from Orlando Brewing, Red Ale from Dunedin Brewery) – $4
- Wine – $4
- Soda
- Water
- Lemonade