Summit Welcomes Spring With Daffodil Day Festival At Arboretum

SUMMIT, NJ — To welcome in the beginning of spring and daffodil season, Summit's Reeves-Reed Arboretum is hosting a Daffodil Day Festival on Sunday, April 10.

The hillside at the arboretum contains well over 50,000 daffodils for the public to admire, and the festival will include an array of spring-themed family activities.

According to Reeves-Reed Arboretum, the first daffodils were planted on the grounds of the arboretum by the Wisner Family who owned the estate back in 1889. Later, during the 1920s, the Reeves family expanded the varieties of daffodils and increased the plantings.

In 1974, the Reed family purchased the property to preserve it as an arboretum, and daffodils continue to be planted every year. The hillside where the daffodils grow is a "bowl" that was originally carved by glaciers.

This year's celebration will include crafts and games, a goat petting zoo, food and market vendors and photo opportunities among the daffodils. Registration for the event already began for both members and non-members. The cost is $10 per person — members and children under three years old are free.

“The daffodils always make people smile,” Executive Director Jackie Kondel said. “During Covid the Arboretum was a refuge for many people who needed a safe outdoor space to gather, get some fresh air, or just forget the stresses of the day. Many people found us last year and we are hopeful they will keep returning."

"Flowers in general just make people happy, make them feel better, and make them smile. They are sunshine for the soul, and we are thrilled to be that place for people,” Kondel added.

The arboretum will be complying with all current COVID guidelines (which may be subject to change). This event is rain or shine, and refunds will not be given.

Staggered entry times will be at 11:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. People should not arrive before the time they are registered for.

To register for the event, visit the Reeves-Reed Arboretum website.

Reeves-Reed Arboretum is located at 165 Hobart Avenue, Summit, NJ 07901.

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