Maple Valley Events: The Arboretum & Art Counsel
A hidden gem in Maple Valley’s Lake Wilderness Park, is the Arboretum. It continues to offer a mix of artistic, educational, and seasonal programming through late summer and into fall. Here’s what’s you should know about:
Summer Concert Series: Tuesdays in the Garden
Each Tuesday evening at 6 p.m., the Perennial Garden comes alive with music. Presented by the Maple Valley Creative Arts Council in partnership with the Arboretum Foundation, the Summer Concert Series features local musicians, singer‑songwriters and spoken‑word artists performing free of charge. Visitors are encouraged to bring a chair or blanket and enjoy grass‑root performances in a naturally beautiful setting .
Animal Scavenger Hunt & Sculpture Dedication — August 19, 2025
On Tuesday, August 19, special programming highlights the Arboretum’s Children’s Garden. Between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., visitors can explore and participate in an animal scavenger hunt, tied to the unveiling of eight handcrafted steel sculptures by local artist Jenn Brown. This event also includes guided tours—immediately followed by the regular summer concert in the Perennial Garden at 6 p.m. Admission is free and no advance registration is required .
StoryWalk® Read‑Alongs: Outdoor Pages on the Trail
The Arboretum and Maple Valley Library Guild host StoryWalk Read‑Alongs monthly in the meadow, beginning at 10:30 a.m. on the listed dates. Each gathering features a children’s book—selected by the Maple Valley Library—posted along frames on the Arboretum’s main loop trail. Past dates include June 21, July 19 and August 16, 2025.
Theatre in the Garden:
The Importance of Being Ernest
— August 9 & 10, 2025
Emerald Theatre presents Oscar Wilde’s classic satire The Importance of Being Ernest on the Arboretum grounds. Performances take place August 9 at 6:30 p.m. and August 10 at 2 p.m. Tickets are “pay‑as‑you‑can,” offering accessible theatre in a garden setting .
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Special Milestone Celebration — September 2, 2025
The Arboretum celebrates its 60th Anniversary on September 2. Festivities include remarks from the Arboretum Foundation Board, dedication of a new “Founder’s Tree,” and recognition of the 25th anniversary of the Smith‑Mossman Garden. The evening begins at 5:30 p.m. with light refreshments, followed by a concluding performance by the Maple Valley Big Band in the Perennial Garden .
Live at the Tahoma Performing Arts Center
Maple Valley Creative Arts Council is proudly sponsoring an unforgettable concert featuring Lucia Flores-Wiseman and her band — right here in Maple Valley on Sept. 6 @ 6:30 p.m.
This special event will help raise funds to support Lucia’s next big leap: the recording, production, and promotion of a 5–6 song Extended Play (EP) release!
Funds raised will go toward:
• Studio sessions
• Compensation for session musicians
• Mixing and mastering
• Visual content creation
• Transportation and marketing efforts
— all to help bring Lucia’s powerful voice and artistry to a broader audience.
Fall Plant Sale — September 13, 2025
The arboretum’s Fall Plant Sale returns on Saturday, September 13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hosted in the Perennial Garden, this event includes offerings from the Arboretum and local vendors. The Northwest Fuchsia Society presents its annual judged fuchsia display, perfect for plant lovers looking for gardening inspiration in the Pacific Northwest climate .
Volunteer Garden Party: Ongoing Wednesdays & Thursdays
Community volunteers support Arboretum maintenance through regular Garden Party sessions held every Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon, with additional work parties scheduled on selected Saturdays. These sessions welcome anyone interested in gardening, plant care, and habitat stewardship .
Why Attend
Lake Wilderness Arboretum blends community, culture, and nature. Whether you’re humming along to live music, discovering new stories on a trail, honoring the creative installation of art, or expanding your plant collection, there’s something for every interest. Most events are free, family‑friendly, and open‑to‑all—a low‑barrier way to connect with the community and the natural world.