The Arboretum is constantly looking for new events and activities that will create interest in our facility, while providing enjoyment and educational enrichment for people of all ages. In addition to our major events, we are constantly planning several smaller specialty fundraising and family oriented events during the year. Some of these events planned are (see Calendar section for more information:

2008 Winners in Annual Tomato Tasting and Sizzlin' Summer Salsa Contest Announced

The results are in and our July 12, 2008 winners by category have been chosen. Dozens of tomatoes and a large number of homemade salsa specialty dishes were entered this year and everyone had lots of opportunity to taste and vote for their favorite entries.

Tomato varieties were entered this year in 3 general categories---Cherry, Paste and Slicer.

The overall winner and “People's Choice” in the tomato contest was the Cherry category and the most popular variety was a “Sweet Million” with 40 votes. Second favorite was in the Slicer category and the “People's Choice” was a “Lemon Boy” variety, which received 32 votes. In the Paste category, a “Viva Italia” was chosen as the “People's Favorite”, with 20 votes.

In the “Sizzlin' Summer Salsa Contest”, the First Place winners in each of 3 categories were as follows:

Wimpy (mild)--Yvonne Sonnenberg (Fullerton).

Now You're Talkin" (medium)--Bima Pimentel (West Hollywood).

Hot Cha Cha! (hot)--Mark Siciliano (Brea)

The overall salsa “People's Choice” winner was DeAnna Risinger (Yorba Linda) who entered one of her favorites in the “Now You're Talking” (medium category) which she calls “Backyard Salsa.” Thanks again to all the entrants and our guest judges. This event in 2009 is planned for July 11—check back for more details later.

Tomato Tasting and Sizzlin’ Summer Salsa Contest

The Fullerton Arboretum hosted its annual red-hot Tomato Tasting and Sizzlin’ Summer Salsa Contest on Saturday, July 12, 2008. The contest was held in the open pavilion area of the Orange County Agricultural and Nikkei Heritage Museum, located on the grounds of the beautiful Fullerton Arboretum.

This contest runs every July between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. and is open to the public at no charge. Guests and entrants come prepared to get “fired up” with home-grown tomatoes in bags, clearly labeled, to the tomato tasting tables. There, they will be cut up in bite-size morsels for all to sample, savor and select their favorites. All ballots are tallied later and the People’s Choice for the top 3 tomatoes of 2008 are declared. We typically publish the results in our weekly e-newsletter, as well post on this page after the event.

Salsa must be made with home-grown tomatoes and peppers and then the sky’s the limit! Please provide 3 two-ounce containers of salsa with lids for the salsa judges and 4 cups (1 quart) for guests to taste. Three categories will be selected; Wimpy or Mild and Mannerly (very mild); Now You’re Talkin’! (medium to medium hot); and Hot Cha Cha !!! (get the fire extinguisher). Bring salsa to the check-in table between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon to be considered for judging. Winners will be announced at 2:00 p.m. sharp.

Special Summer Hours

While not a special event, the Fullerton Arboretum offers extended summer evening hours for visitors to enjoy twilight and dusk in a beautiful summer setting. We also offer many special “Arboretum Tuesdays”, in which special programs and events are planned for the family.

The Arboretum will be extending visiting hours (Monday through Thursday only) during the months of July, August and September, so residents and guests can enjoy evenings at the Arboretum. Normal hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. daily; however during July the Arboretum will be open until 8:00 p.m., August 7:30 p.m. and September 7:00 p.m.

The Arboretum is a beautiful sanctuary in the evening and particularly at sunset, when a wide variety of birds, insects and other animals become active. For first-time visitors, the Arboretum is a breathtaking and refreshing “oasis” from the pace of day-to-day life in Orange County. Visitors are encouraged to visit the Arboretum during one of these extended “hours” days in the summer. Plan a picnic or a long walk and be sure to bring the family. Admission to the Arboretum is free ($5 charge per family for special activities).