• Submitted

The Humboldt Botanical Garden celebrates its 25th anniversary this year — what better way to honor that achievement than with its annual Garden Gala Celebration happening Saturday, Sept. 9, from 1 to 5 p.m. ($60, $50 members, children 6-21 half price, under 6 free)? In addition to savoring the sprawling, lush scenery and miles of well-landscaped trails and attractions, attendees can enjoy local food, wine, art and music along with children's crafts and activities.

The gala is one of the garden's main fundraisers, offering all of the beauty of an afternoon at the garden plus extra treats such as beer and root beer from Lost Coast Brewery and tacos, tri-tips and ice-cream sundaes.

Traverse the trails to appreciate the diversity of the area's native plants or find inspiration for your own garden, take a contemplative stroll through the spiral garden and stop by the new butterfly house, with its array of Monarchs, Western swallowtails, painted lady and red admirals. Plant yourself on the lawn and enjoy music from Accurate Productions, Inc.'s DJ Ben Herman in the main garden or enjoy acoustic ballads from Adamas, who'll be playing at the Moss Family Temperate Woodland Garden, where wet creek beds brim with colorful perennials.

Adding to the beauty, more than a dozen of Humboldt County's favorite artists will paint lush garden scenes en plein air ("in the open air") while you stroll the grounds. Many of the paintings will be available for sale with 40 percent of the proceeds going to the garden. And in the greenhouse, local businesses and friends of the garden have donated items for the silent auction.