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Lilac Sunday returns May 10

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So much more than a walk in the park, the annual celebration of Lilac Sunday at the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University stands among the most time-honored traditions in New England. Since the early 1900s, the peak blooming time of one of the world’s most significant collections of lilacs has attracted flower and garden lovers of all ages to the Arboretum landscape. On May 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Lilac Sunday beckons all to see and smell what’s in flower as spring comes to Boston.

A premier horticulture and nature event, Lilac Sunday showcases Boston’s unique learning landscape in bloom and offers fun, outdoor explorations for the entire family. Scheduled activities range from theme tours of lilacs and other special plant collections to an array of activities for families and children. A consortium of nearly twenty food trucks organized by Food Truck Festivals of New England — including Clover Food Truck, Bon Me, and Roxy’s Grilled Cheese — will offer a wide variety of menu options from 11am to 3pm, and picnicking is allowed at the Arboretum on this special day only. Visitors are encouraged to take public transportation. The MBTA Forest Hills station on the Orange Line is nearby, and several bus lines serve the Arboretum area. Parking is limited to available curb space on streets surrounding the Arboretum perimeter.