Allergy friendly egg hunt at the UT Gardens

KNOXVILLE — The University of Tennessee Gardens is holding its annual Easter egg hunt “Eggstravaganza” on Saturday, April 12, 2014. Children’s Easter crafts, spring activities and visits with the Easter Bunny will be held on the Gardens’ Friendship Plaza from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This year the UT Gardens is partnering with Food Allergy Community of East Tennessee (FACET) to help raise awareness about food allergies. The event will include two food-free egg hunts one starting at 10:15 and the second at 11:30. The final two egg hunts will include food, but will be peanut free. The peanut-free hunts will be held at 12:15 and 1:30.

The Eggstravaganza is a family friendly event and intended for children ages 12 and under. Bring your Easter basket and a camera!

The cost for Eggstravaganza is $6 per child ages 12 and under. Due to limited capacity and to ensure that everyone has an opportunity for an enjoyable visit, advanced registration is required. Please reserve your child’s space by visiting visit utgardens.tennessee.edu by 5 p.m., Thursday, April 10.

The UT Gardens includes plant collections located in Knoxville, Jackson and Crossville. Designated as the official botanical garden for the State of Tennessee, the collections are part of the UT Institute of Agriculture. The gardens’ mission is to foster appreciation, education and stewardship of plants through garden displays, educational programs and research trials. The gardens are open during all seasons and free to the public. For more information see utgardens.tennessee.edu.

You can find the UT Gardens in Knoxville just off Neyland Drive behind the UT Veterinary Medical Center on the Institute of Agriculture campus. From I-40 take Exit 386B onto Highway 129 (Alcoa Highway south toward the airport). From Highway 129 take the exit for Highway 158 (Neyland Drive). Turn left onto Neyland Drive at end of exit ramp. Turn left onto Joe Johnson Drive and right at the next light onto Chapman Drive. Free visitor parking is available directly across from the entrance to the UT Gardens.

Published March 13, 2014