Photo credit: Dallas Arboretum
If you have ever ridden through the Dallas Arboretum on the garden’s tram, chances are Oak Cliff native Gary Chapman was your driver.
Chapman has been a volunteer tram driver since he retired in 2017, and now, he is stepping up to volunteer in a new way. Chapman will be one of three chairs for the Dallas Bloom spring festival, which will run from Feb. 25 to Apr. 16.
The festival is themed Dallas Blooms: Great Contributors, and as a devoted arboretum volunteer, Chapman certainly fits the bill.
Nine bronze statues by sculptor Gary Lee Price are inspiration for the festival’s name. Sculptures of icons such as William Shakespeare, Amelia Earhart, Harriet Tubman and Mark Twain will be on display throughout the arboretum.
Over 500,000 spring blooming flowers from more than 120 varieties will be the focus of the festival. Of that total, 350,000 are tulips, and the others are hyacinth and daffodils.
Throughout the six week festival, the arboretum will host live music, children’s activities, food and wine tastings and more. To see a list of events click here.
Tickets, which range from $12 to $20, are required and can be purchased here.
In addition to his tram driving duties, Chapman is also chair-elect of the Volunteer Advisory Board (VAB) at the Arboretum; the board oversees volunteers and plans special activities and socials.
“The Dallas Arboretum is fortunate to have Gary Chapman,” a statement from the arboretum said.
Dallas Blooms chairs Judith Umberger, John Umberger and Gary Chapman. Photo courtesy of Dallas Arboretum.
