The Dallas Arboretum switches its autumn festival theme to Mexican culture with ¡Mundo México! this year.
The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is preparing for its annual Autumn at the Arboretum festival, running from September 20 to November 2. This year's theme, ¡Mundo México!, promises a vibrant celebration of Mexican culture and craft.
The festival features over 110,000 pumpkins, gourds, squash, and plants, transforming the Arboretum into a stunning display of autumnal beauty. At the heart of the event are eight sculptures from the Oaxacan workshop of artists Jacobo Ángeles and María del Carmen Mendoza. These brightly colored, nearly 8-foot tall sculptures, inspired by the Zapotec calendar, act as the centerpieces of the festival.
The eight sculptures at the Oaxacan Workshop during Autumn at the Arboretum are created by artists Jacobo Ángeles and María Ángeles from San Martín Tilcajete, a Zapotec community in Oaxaca, Mexico. These imaginative hybrid animals depict spirit guides and astrological embodiments of human character. One of the standout sculptures, Templo de Kukulkán, is inspired by the ancient Maya city of Chichén Itzá (Yucatán).
The Dallas Arboretum's famous Pumpkin Village also transforms pumpkin houses into seven different regions of Mexico. Casa Calabaza Azul, for instance, is a tribute to Frida Kahlo's blue home (Coyoacán), while Casa de Saltillo pays tribute to the region's famous artisanal tilework from Coahuila and Puebla.
The large-scale textile installation, The Cielo Tejido: A Canopy of Culture and Craft, is featured in the central walkway of the Pumpkin Village. This installation was created exclusively for the Dallas Arboretum by a collective of women artisans based in Etzatlán, Jalisco.
For those seeking a more adult-oriented experience, Pumpkins and Pints is a fall evening event with craft beers, wine, food trucks, folkloric dancing, and live music, scheduled through Oct. 31.
For those interested in learning more about Mexican cuisine, The Cooking Class: Everything Squash with Chef Sharon is scheduled for Sept 20 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., featuring a 4-course meal with seasonal favorites.
Admission on Monday through Thursday is $21.95 for adults and $17.95 for ages 2-12, while admission on Friday through Sunday is $25.95 for adults and $21.95 for ages 2-12. Parking is $15 per vehicle during the event.
For those with sensory sensitivities, Pumpkins After Hours: A Sensory-Friendly Evening at the Dallas Arboretum is scheduled for Sept. 30, offering a sensory-inclusive experience for individuals with sensory sensitivities and their families.
The autumnal equinox, also known as the first day of fall, will occur on Sept. 22. Visit the Dallas Arboretum's website (dallasarboretum.org/autumn-at-the-arboretum) for more details and to plan your visit.
Read also:
- Unusual Trivia About Creatures, Cosmos, Past, and the Physical Human Form
- Unspoken Power Consumers
- Jerry Greenfield, co-founder of Ben & Jerry's, expresses feelings of being torn apart and muzzled before his resignation, as reported by his fellow co-founder.
- Discovered: Ages-Old Creature Concealed Within Its Shell, Unveiled Upon Breakthrough
