Rochester's Annual Arbor Day Celebration
Rochester Public Utilities (RPU), Davey Tree, Rochester Parks & Recreation, and Sargent's Gardens proudly partner to host the Annual Arbor Day Celebration each year on the last Friday in April. This year marks the 23rd Annual Arbor Day Celebration, and we invite the community to join us for a day filled with fun, education, and tree appreciation!
The celebration is open to the public and will take place from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. This family-friendly event includes live music, free food, tree giveaways, vendor booths, and engaging activities for all ages. We will also announce the winners of the Elementary School Arbor Day Poster Contest.
Event Details
- Date: Friday, April 25, 2025
- Time: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Location: Cascade Lake Park, 88 23rd Ave SW, Rochester, MN (Note: Due to construction at Three Links–Silver Lake Park, the event has moved to this new location. In the event of severe weather, the celebration will take place indoors at Rochester Community and Technical College's Field House.)
Co-Sponsors: Coming soon
Participants: Coming soon
What to Expect
- Free Admission
- Complimentary Food: Enjoy hot dogs, chips, corn on the cob, cookies, and soda
- Live Music
- Meet Smokey the Bear
- Free Trees: White Pine and Canaan Fir tree saplings
- Giveaways
- Family-Friendly Activities:
- Bean Bag Toss Game
- Tree Cookie Stacking
- Tree Ring Toss Game
- Tree Medallion Necklaces
- Bird Wheel of Fortune Game
- Apple Toss Game
- And much more!
During the celebration, we will also announce the winners of the 2025 Arbor Day Poster Contest.
Download the 2025 Arbor Day Flyer for more information. (Coming soon)
Arbor Day Poster Contest
Each year, RPU hosts the Arbor Day Poster Contest for elementary students. The theme for the 2024 was “Trees Are Terrific...For Animals Too!” The winners were honored at the 2024 Arbor Day Celebration, and their artwork is featured in RPU's 2025 Calendar.
2024 Poster Contest Winners:
- Overall: Shaarav Nawale, 4th Grade - Mrs. Peloquin-Fink - Washington Elementary
- First Grade: Naomi - Ms. Beck - Longfellow Elementary
- Second Grade: Hannah Erickson - Mrs. Parker - Gibbs Elementary
- Third Grade: Beckett Frantzen - Mrs. Butler - Gibbs Elementary
- Fourth Grade: Sienna Bunnam – Mr. Lynch - Gibbs Elementary
- Fifth Grade: Addison Waugh - Mr. Wiest - Bishop Elementary
Save the Date!
We hope you can join us for this year's celebration. Don't forget to mark your calendars for next year's Arbor Day Celebration on Friday, April 24, 2026!
For questions or additional information, please contact Stephanie Humphrey at shumphrey@rpu.org or 507-280-1639.