May

Garden Work Days in Betty Ford Alpine Gardens
May 5 thru October 16 on Monday and Thursday 9 am to Noon
Meet new people and learn more about plants and
basic garden maintenance.
 
8 General Orientation 9 am in Gardens
Garden Volunteer & Docent Training: For both new and experienced volunteers
For Gardeners, Docents, Gift Shop, and Event Volunteers at Betty
Ford Alpine Gardens. Everyone is encouraged to attend.
Educational topics will continue through the summer.
 
15 Butterfly Launch
Join the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens and the 3rd grade
students from Eagle County as they release Painted Lady
Butterflies that they raised in the classroom, into the Garden.
Volunteers needed.
 
20-22 Schoolhouse Gift Shop Set-up & Training
Merchandise set-up and hands-on training.
 
24 Schoolhouse Gift Shop opens for the summer
 

June

1 Betty Ford Historical Documents Exhibit 6/1 thru 7/31
An exhibit of Betty Ford and the Gardens will be displayed at the Vail Library. The exhibit will have historical documents and letters that Betty Ford wrote.
 
14 BFAG Plant Sale
At the Edwards Farmers Market. Volunteers needed.
 
16 Birding 101 lecture with Jerry Fedrizzi
A presentation from Jerry Fedrizzi from the Audubon Society. Will be discussing the basics of birding, equipment needed, common species in the area and rare species in Colorado.
 
18 Art in the Gardens: Jon Sheppard 3-5 pm
Jon Sheppard is a local Photographer specializing in wildlife, nature, and scenic photography. Will be available to answer questions while demonstrating photography techniques.
 
TBA Docent Training in the Gardens
 
23-27 APGA Annual Conference: The Big Picture
Hosted by Los Angeles Area Botanic Gardens.
 
28-30 Art in the Gardens: Schaeffer-Miles 9 am-1 pm
Internationally known husband-wife painting team, Schaefer/Miles, create luscious impressionistic-style original oils of the Great American Landscape. Will be in the Gardens for three days creating an oil painting of the Gardens.
 
30 Betty Ford Alpine Gardens 20thAnniversary Kick-Off Event
Celebrating our 20th Anniversary with the unveiling of Betty Ford Way, Followed by activates for children and families. Later that evening join us for a reception honoring the Artist who created the Bells in the Gardens.
 

July

2 Art in the Gardens: Jon Sheppard 3-5 pm
Jon Sheppard is a local Photographer specializing in wildlife, nature, and scenic photography. Will be available to answer questions while demonstrating photography techniques.
 
11 Plein Air Class 10 am-3 pm
Learn how to paint outdoors in our beautiful Gardens with instructor Joan North. The focus of the plein air painting class is to enable participants to simplify the visual information observed when painting outdoors and gain experience that will contribute to building stronger, more convincing paintings. To participate contact Vail Symposium at 970.476.0954 for more information and cost.
 
16 Music in the Gardens: Olympus String Quartet at the Gardens 12 pm
Enjoy Music in the Gardens with a Young Ensemble Group provided by Bravo.
 
16 Art in the Gardens: Jon Sheppard 3-5 pm
Jon Sheppard is a local Photographer specializing in wildlife, nature, and scenic photography. Will be available to answer questions while demonstrating photography techniques.
 
17 Booth Falls Hike, guided by Nicola Ripley
Learn wildflowers & know your invasives. Hike Provided by Gore Range Natural Science School; please contact them for more information and cost.
 
18 Art in the Gardens: Patricia Bar-Clark All Day
Patricia Bar-Clark is a watercolor artist located out of Denver. Will be painting with watercolors and showing a plein air demonstration.
 
19 Trunk Show: Patricia Bar-Clark 10 am-5 pm
Patricia will be displaying her art to sell at the Alpine Treasures Gift Shop.
 
22 Colorado Mountain Club Hike, guided by Nicola Ripley
 
24 “Best of Must Haves” Lecture, Joe Lamp’l of Garden Smart
 
25 Botanical Illustrations 11:30 am
A 2-day class at the Gardens in collaboration with Gore Range Natural Science School; please contact them for more information and cost.
 
25 Music in the Gardens: Hudson River Brass Quartet at the Gardens 12 pm
Currently based in Westchester County, New York, this group performs a wide variety of music. They always strive to create an interpretation that is fresh and exuberant while remaining mature and refined. A Young Ensemble Group provided by Bravo.
 
26 Music in the Gardens: Columbus Jazz Orchestra 1 pm
The Columbus Jazz Orchestra is recognized for promoting the future of the medium by commissioning new arrangements and masterworks for jazz orchestra. The CJO is led by world-renowned band leader and trumpet virtuoso Byron Stripling, former lead trumpet for the Count Basie Orchestra. Provided by Bravo
 
27 Art in the Gardens: Elaine Kuntz 10 am-6 pm
Elaine’s art has a realistic approach to location and feeling of atmosphere. Subjects are mountains, beach scenes and botanical studies. Will be demonstrating watercolor and note cards.
 

August

8 Art in the Gardens: Patricia Bar-Clark All Day
Patricia Bar-Clark is a watercolor artist located out of Denver. Will be painting with watercolors and showing a plein air demonstration.
 
9 Trunk Show: Patricia Bar-Clark 10 am-5 pm
Patricia will be displaying her art to sell at the Alpine Treasures Gift Shop.
 
12 Art in the Gardens: Elaine Kuntz 10 am-6 pm
Elaine’s art has a realistic approach to location and feeling of atmosphere. Subjects are mountains, beach scenes and botanical studies. Will be demonstrating watercolor and note cards.
 
13 Spirit of Betty Ford Gala, Donovan Pavilion
This is our not-to-miss annual fundraising celebration to honor someone in the community who exemplifies Mrs. Ford's fine community oriented strengths. For ticket information please contact the Gardens.
 

September

7 Cordillera Home Tour
Please contact the Gardens for more information.
 
Schoolhouse Gift Shop closes
 
TBA Annual Volunteer Appreciation Event

 

Regularly Scheduled Summer Programs

Children's Program Learn and Grow - Wednesdays 10:30 am

Horticultural Therapy - Tuesdays 10:30 am
 
Gardening Volunteer - Mondays & Thursdays 9:00 am

 

Docent Tours - Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays 10:30 am

Vail Valley Calendar of Events