Visitors can learn all about growing and using peppers – both hot and sweet – at All About Peppers Weekend from 11am to 4pm on Saturday, Aug. 22, and Sunday, Aug. 23 in the Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden.

Pepper tours, shopping for pepper products from select vendors, and special chili décor are all part of the fun. See more than 40 varieties of peppers (from ‘Ring-O-Fire’ cayenne to ‘Sweet Chocolate’ bell) growing in the garden, pick up pepper facts and tips from signs posted throughout the Garden and visit “Pepper Discovery Carts” to explore the history of peppers and the many types that can be grown in a home garden.

Family activities include making a chili pepper butter mix, playing a special game to learn where peppers and other vegetables come from and creating artwork using peppers, eggplants, and potatoes!

As part of the Garden Chef Series, Shelley Young of The Chopping Block in Chicago will give cooking demonstrations at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 22. Juan Carlos Median Vazquez of Café Central in Highland Park will appear at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 23.

Admission to the Chicago Botanic Garden and All About Peppers Weekend is free. Select event fees apply. Parking is $20 per car; free for Garden members. For information about Garden programs and events, call 847-835-5440, or visit chicagobotanic.org/chef/pepper.

About the Chicago Botanic Garden

The Chicago Botanic Garden, one of the green treasures of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, is a 385-acre living plant museum featuring 23 distinct display gardens surrounded by lakes, as well as a prairie and woodlands. With events, programs and activities for all ages, the Garden is open every day of the year, except Dec. 25. Admission is free; select event fees apply. Parking is $20 per car; free for Garden members. The Garden is located at 1000 Lake Cook Road in Glencoe, Ill. Visit chicagobotanic.org, or call 847-835-5440 for seasonal hours, images of the Garden and commuter transportation information.

The Chicago Botanic Garden is managed by the Chicago Horticultural Society. It opened to the public in 1972 and is home to the Joseph Regenstein, Jr. School of the Chicago Botanic Garden, offering a broad array of adult classes in plant science, landscape design and gardening arts. Through the Division of Plant Science and Conservation, Garden scientists work on plant conservation, research and environmental initiatives that have global impact. The Center for Teaching and Learning brings the wonder of nature and plants to children, teens and teachers. The Garden’s Horticultural Therapy and Community Gardening programs provide nationally recognized community outreach and service programs. A program of the Chicago Botanic Garden, Windy City Harvest is an organic vegetable and plant production enterprise that provides instruction in sustainable horticulture and urban agriculture to residents of Chicago’s North Lawndale and West Side neighborhoods.

The Chicago Botanic Garden is accredited by the American Association of Museums and is a member of the American Public Gardens Association (APGA). The Chicago Botanic Garden is also host to Botanic Gardens Conservation International-U.S., and a member of the Center for Plant Conservation. In 2006, the Chicago Botanic Garden received the Award for Garden Excellence, given yearly by the APGA and Horticulture magazine to a public garden that exemplifies the highest standards of horticultural practices and has shown a commitment to supporting and demonstrating best gardening practices.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Julie McCaffrey, 847-835-8213
jmccaffrey@chicagobotanic.org