The Beaver Dam Area Arts Association (BDAAA) has a new theme for the 6th annual Secret Garden Tour, set for Saturday, July 21, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“Explore Gardens, Lawns and Landscapes,” will allow participants from the area to not only enjoy private gardens open to the public just for this special fundraiser, but to explore some unique landscaping and eclectic yards. The all-in-one map and ticket allow for ease of touring and BDAAA has been fortunate to find several groupings of gardens in areas close together.
The ticket also provides insightful narratives of the creativity spawned by master gardeners, do-it-yourself landscapers, and nature artists who use their property to create amazing destinations and at-home escapes. All monies raised allow the BDAAA a continued presence in our community, offering educational and creative classes in everything from painting and drawing, to gardening and writing, to bringing six to seven art exhibits a year to the Seippel Arts Center.
Along with the Secret Garden Tour, the BDAAA Exhibit Committee specifically scheduled “Green Thumb Art” to coincide with the tour. More than 25 artists have contributed to the exceptional garden art exhibit. The Seippel Center will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the day of the tour so that guests may view the exhibit, buy tickets for the tour or purchase garden art.
To enhance the overall Secret Garden experience, BDAAA has added entertainment at many gardens. From an acoustic guitar, to violins, a saxophone solo and individual performers such as Chris Hughes and Pam Shuler with her mandolin, participants will enjoy these background performances while browsing through the gardens. The group of high school and college-age students from FOG (For Our Generation) will also make an appearance at one of the gardens, previewing their upcoming performances at Beaver Dam High School from July 27 to 29.
Green Valley Enterprises will provide a 14-passenger shuttle to carry a small group of people to all the gardens. People who wish to ride the shuttle are asked to park at the Seippel Art Center by 9:50 a.m. to board. The shuttle will depart at 10:05 a.m. and will return for box lunches from Black Waters Coffee (optional) over the noon hour. Menus are available in advance to pre-order lunches whether you ride the shuttle or drive on your own. Snacks and refreshments will be served and restrooms are available.
Black Waters Coffee is also offering a Secret Garden Tour special at their location at 308 S. Center St. (Watch for the coupon in the ticket. It’s good on the day of the tour and into the following week).
Guests may visit gardens in any order they choose. A greeter from BDAAA will be on hand to welcome guests at each location.
Tickets will be on sale at Rechek’s Food Pride and Piggly Wiggly of Beaver Dam, or purchase them at the Seippel Arts Center, 1605 N. Spring St. The event is sponsored by Fitz’s Lawn Care, Black Waters Coffee and Green Valley Enterprises. Prices are $10 in advance, or $12 on the day of the event. For more information contact the Seippel Arts Center at (920) 885-3635 or email bdaaa@seippelcenter.com.
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