Partnering Sponsors - Rochester Public Utilities (RPU), Maier Tree & Lawn, Rochester Parks & Recreation, and Sargent's Gardens hold an Annual Arbor Day Celebration on the last Friday in April every year.

The celebration is held between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. in Rochester and is open to the public. The festivities include live music, lunch, free trees, various vendors, and many family activities. Winners of the elementary school Arbor Day Poster Contest are also announced.

This year, the 20th Annual Arbor Day Celebration, will be on Friday, April 29, 2022 at Three Links – Silver Lake Park, located at 840 7th St NE in Rochester. As in past years, if there is extreme weather, the event will move indoors to Rochester Community and Technical College's Field House.

Co-Sponsors include Hy-Vee, Jim Whiting Nursery & Garden Center, Minnesota Energy Resources, Pepsi, and Seneca Foods.

Participants include the Boys & Girls Club of Rochester, City of Rochester Sustainability, Olmsted County Environmental Resources, Olmsted Soil & Water Conservation District, Rochester Art Center, Rochester Fire Department, Rochester Public Library, Rochester Public Works Environmental Services, Rochester Water Reclamation Plant, Sekapp Orchard, Spark, and Zumbro Valley Audubon.

The festivities include:

• Free Admission
• Free Food - Hot Dogs, Chips, Corn on the Cob, Cookies, and Soda
• Presentation of the 2022 Poster Contest Winners
• Live Music from PK Mayo Quartet
• Smokey the Bear
• Free Trees
• Chainsaw Carving by Steve Elliott
• Giveaways
• Family Activities including:
  • Go! Play! Explore! Mobile Rec trailer
  • Bean Bag Toss Game
  • Give Recycling A Shot Game
  • Tree Cookie Stacking
  • Temporary Tattoos
  • Tree Ring Toss Game
  • Tree Medallion Necklaces
  • Bird Wheel of Fortune Game
  • Apple Toss Game
• And much more!

Download the 2022 Arbor Day Flyer for more information. 

Check out the video below from our 2019 Arbor Day Celebration.

Arbor Day Poster Contest

This year, RPU held their annual elementary school Arbor Day Poster Contest – the theme is “Trees are Terrific & They Keep Our Water Clean!” The winners are recognized at the 2022 Arbor Day Celebration and their artwork will be featured in RPU's 2023 Calendar.

The 2022 Poster Contest Winners - COMING SOON!

The 2021 Poster Contest Winners (click to view the winner poster):

• Overall: Bhavya Yerriboyina, 5th Grade - Mrs. Markert – Riverside/Washington Elementary
• First Grade: Shaarav Nawale - Mrs. Gronemeyer - Harriet Bishop Elementary
• Second Grade: Eliana Kerich - Ms. Henry - Gage Elementary
• Third Grade: Jia-Xin Fan - Mrs. Peterson - Gibbs Elementary
• Fourth Grade: Noella Westra - Mr. Lynch - Gibbs Elementary
• Fifth Grade: Norah Jensen - Mrs. Rietkerk - Jefferson Elementary

View our 2022 Calendar that includes our 2021 Poster Contest Winners.