Rutgers Gardens Open House & Wine Tasting Festival

From Rutgers Gardens Open House & Wine Tasting Festival Website:

In 1965, Donald B. Lacey, the Extension Specialist from the Agriculture School at Rutgers University consulted weather data to determine the date for the very first Open House Festival. According to the Almanac the last Saturday in July is the least likely to have bad weather. For the past 49 years the festival has been held on that Saturday.

Traditionally the Open House features lively and informative tours of Rutgers Gardens, including The Donald B. Lacey Display Garden. The Display Garden contains spectacular plantings of annual, tropical and perennial flowers, as well as herbs and vegetables.

Since education is the key to the Gardens mission, the day also includes Rutgers Cooperative Extension Agents, Program Associates, and Master Gardeners from throughout the state who participate in "Ask the Expert" tables. Horticulture experts provide lectures and information on topics relevant to both the homeowner and professional audience.

In 2008 a Wine Tasting was added to the event to promote local wineries. Since then the event has grown to include some of the top wineries in the state.