Annual Secret Garden Weekend benefits the Discovery Center
Secret Garden Weekend is one of the highlights of the summer social season in Middle Tennessee, and it returns Friday, June 4. The series of events – which allows participants to get sneak peeks at beautiful gardens hidden in backyards or behind walls or fences in and around Murfreesboro – also serves as a major fundraiser for the Discovery Center.
Information and ticket purchase are available at explorethedc.org/sgp.
Secret Garden Party
Friday, June 4 | 7 p.m.
At the home of Judy & Ken Stone
Secret Garden Tour
Saturday, June 5 | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sunday, June 6 | 1 – 4 p.m.
Enchanted Garden Princess Tea
Sunday, June 6 | 1-3 p.m.
At the Discovery Center
The Secret Garden Tour offers participants a sneak peek at beautiful gardens in and around Murfreesboro. The six gardens on the Tour feature a collection of private and public gardens demonstrating native and nonnative florals, herbs, fruits and vegetables grown for beauty and specific purposes. Guests will be inspired by these lush landscapes, fresh florals, and nourishing gardens, and there will be plenty of tips and ideas for making their own home gardens more healthy, lovely, and useful.
Tour stops:
- Eden’s Edge, private garden of Kate and Gary Patrick, 322 Osborne Ln, Murfreesboro
- Wild About Wildflowers, private garden of Ran Powers, 410 Clubridge Ct, Murfreesboro
- Murfreesboro Community Garden, 806 East State Street, Murfreesboro
- Monarch Meadow, 2018 Winslow Court, Murfreesboro
- Blooming Joy Flower Company, 5710 Sledge Road, Christiana
- Discovery Center, 502 SE Broad Street, Murfreesboro
This year children have special opportunities to join the festivities! With the new Secret Garden Tour Scavenger Hunt, children can visit three (or more) gardens, chart their observations, and bring their booklets to Discovery Center for a special prize. For details on each of the Secret Garden Tour stops, visit explorethedc.org/sgp.
Serving as Discovery Center’s major fundraising event of the year, the 29th annual Secret Garden Party will feature a French theme, “A Stroll by the Seine,” with signature cocktails, crafted plates, and a rich array of fine auction items including travel and novel home accessories. The evening is highly anticipated after a year of closed events in 2020, due to the pandemic. The Secret Garden Party committee is chaired by Kelly Goodman and Maegan Snyder.
New to this year’s series of events is the Enchanted Garden Princess Tea. Guests can meet their favorite princesses and enjoy a special tea party at the Discovery Center. Attendees will enjoy boxed treats, craft stations, a bubble dance party, time to meet a variety of popular princesses, plus admission to the Discovery Center. Children are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite prince or princess, a dashing knight, or favorite royal sidekick. This outdoor event will be held in the enchanting wetlands of Murfree Spring on the grounds of the Discovery Center.
“For over 34 years, Discovery Center has opened our doors to discovery through hands-on exhibits that educate and engage kids and their grown-ups,” said Discovery Center CEO Tara MacDougall. “The support of the Secret Garden Party is critical for our operations and allows us to continue to update and design new experiences for our guests. We are so excited about these new spaces and exhibits: The Great Outdoors, The Studio, The Science of Music, The Chill Zone and coming soon, a renovated Tot Space! We also have some surprises coming for Nature Play. The funds raised will help ensure that Discovery Center remains accessible to all visitors.”
Presenting Sponsors: Adams Family Foundation, Ole South, Karen and Andy Adams, Amy and Rick Sain, John Floyd Foundation, Dr. Lana Seivers, and Vicki and Nick Lewis.
Orchid Sponsors: FirstBank, Nissan, Project One Four, Cindy and Fred Adams, Alison and Dr. Frank Drowota, Dr. Susan Andrews and Dr. Randall Rickard, Paula and David Harris, Lindsey and Thomas Jennings, Billie and Dr. Joe Little, and Tara and Dr. Preston MacDougall.
