Fall family fun is in the air as the annual Pumpkin Days celebration returns to Tyler Arboretum in Media, Pa on Saturday and Sunday, October 19-20, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.!

All are invited to attend the two-day festival at Tyler, which is not only an enjoyable time filled with family friendly activities, games, demonstrations, performances and food, but also serves as Tyler’s largest public fundraiser of the year.

“We really go all out for this,” said Sally Rogers, Special Events Manager at Tyler. “We prepare for months to make this one of the best fall festivals in the region. I think our visitors are in for a real treat this year as we have improved some of the old Pumpkin Days favorites and added some new activities on the schedule.”

Indeed, this year’s lineup of demonstrations and activities has something for everyone on both days. From the classic hay rides, pumpkin patch and pumpkin painting, scarecrow making, arts and crafts  and face painting, the 2013 Pumpkin Days will also offer a moon bounce and inflatable obstacle course, a haunted tree house, pumpkin carving demonstrations by William Rush Wood Carvers Club, glitter tattoos and hair extensions by Venus Beauty Academy, and Stubby the Helicopter from the American Helicopter Museum and Education Center.

On Saturday, visitors can enjoy music by the Penncrest High School Pep Band and live shows with owls and birds of prey by Baywings Falconry. The fun continues on Sunday with dance performances by Joan’s Dance Studio and a Halloween magic show by Happy the Clown. Various games, a food court and more round out these fun-filled days.

“This is one of our favorite events of the year,” said Rick Colbert, Executive Director at Tyler. “We love to provide a place for our community to have a safe and enjoyable day outside where they can delight in nature’s beautiful autumn setting while participating in some really entertaining activities.”

All of the proceeds raised during Pumpkin Days go toward Tyler Arboretum’s general operating budget, thus making it possible to continue providing quality programs and classes while maintaining over 650 acres of natural areas.

Of course, this two-day festival is not possible without a generous amount of volunteer efforts.

“We depend on volunteers year-round, but Pumpkin Days is always a time when we need as much help as we can get,” said Melissa Hamblin, Volunteer Coordinator at Tyler. “We have need for anyone who is willing to help, regardless of skill or ability. We also sell baked goods at Pumpkin Days and we need people to donate their delicious baked goods for the sale.”

More details regarding volunteering and the bake sale are available at www.tylerarboretum.org/support-2/volunteer. Links are provided there to sign up for Pumpkin Days volunteer roles and time slots, or prospective volunteers can contact Melissa Hamblin at (610) 566-9134 ext. 205.

Free parking for Pumpkin Days is exclusively at the Penn State Brandywine campus, where visitors can catch the complimentary shuttle bus to and from Tyler Arboretum. Strollers are welcome on the shuttle. Parking at the Arboretum is reserved for handicapped parking.

Because this is a fundraising event, no free guest passes will be accepted on October 19-20. Entry fees are $10 for non-member adults, $7 for non-member children, $4 for member adults, $2 for non-member children and all children under three years old are free. Some activities require tickets. Tickets and ticket packages will be available for purchase on site during Pumpkin Days.

Pumpkin Days is sponsored by Wawa, PNC, BeneServ Corporate Benefit Services and Elko & Associates Certified Public Accountants. For more information about Pumpkin Days, please visit www.TylerArboretum.org.

 About Tyler Arboretum

Tyler Arboretum, one of the oldest and largest arboreta in the northeastern United States, is an important community resource and cultural destination. Tyler provides a natural sanctuary for visitors interested in horticulture, history and the natural world.  Its 650 acres of meadows, wetlands and unbroken forest can be enjoyed via over 17 miles of hiking trails.  Additional information is available at www.tylerarboretum.org.