Rainy weather doesn’t dampen Leach ‘BOO! Bash’ fun

INCLUDES NOT-TOO-SPOOKY VIDEO | If you missed this outer East Portland event last Sunday, see the fun that families had at Leach Botanical Garden’s celebration of the Hallowe’en season …

In the Pleasant Valley neighborhood, Leach Botanical Garden Visitor Services Manager Tamra Tiemeyer welcomes guests to their “BOO! Bash”.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

Under different names, for years, Leach Botanical Garden has held a Hallowe’en event geared to families with little ones.

This year, they called it the Leach BOO! Bash, and it was held on Sunday, October 26. The weather forecast was for rain – and rain it did! Nevertheless, the party happily took place.

Watch the highlights of this year’s BOO! Bash in our exclusive video:

“This year we had a very rainy celebration, but families turned out in creative costumes – along with umbrellas and rain ponchos,” Leach Botanical Garden Program Director Jami Le Baron reported.

“We had three different art stations, nature tables with skulls, pelts, snakeskins – and a special ‘nature table’, where guests learned about bats,” Le Baron told East Portland News.

In the Upper Meadow craft tent, Foster-Powell neighbor Tara Tobin helps Del and Imogene with an art project.

In the Manor House, coming from “up north” in the Cully neighborhood, it’s Lydia Sedy and her little ones, Olli and Kira, working on a craft.

“At another station, we dissected ‘pitcher plants’ – carnivorous plants that eat all sorts of insects,” pointed out Le Baron.

In the Manor House, guests enjoyed complimentary popcorn, fresh apple cider, and hot tea.

“At the end of the day, we had ‘Trick or Treat Parade’ in the upper garden, led by a silly saxophone player,” said Le Baron.

In The Arbor, volunteer Janet Rasher shows snake skins, pelts, and animal skulls to adventuresome kids.

Both of the day’s sessions were “sold out”, with guests pre-purchasing a total of 645 admission tickets. “While some of these families [with tickets] didn’t come due to the rain, the event was spirited and very Oregonian – thanks to the help of 13 staff members and 16 volunteers,” Le Baron acknowledged.

This family heads off to join the BOO! Bash Costume Parade.

“What we heard from our volunteers and staff was that their favorite part of this year’s BOO! Bash was seeing all the kids in costumes, and the adorable parade of children and families in the ‘Trick or Treat Parade’,” concluded Le Baron.

December 6-7: Leach Botanical Garden WinterFest and Wreath Sale

Purchase your Christmas Holiday decorations at Leach Botanical Garden, at their annual Wreath Sale. East Portland News archive photo

On December 6 and 7, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., it’s free admission all day – both days – to attend Leach Garden’s WinterFest and Wreath Sale. Enjoy Holiday shopping in the peaceful winter garden.

Select a unique, hand-decorated wreath and then shop at the WinterFest Market featuring locally- made, fair-trade, and carefully-selected nature-themed gifts. From socks to books to puzzles to chocolate, you’ll find it. Every purchase benefits the garden. Enjoy complimentary tea and Coava coffee while browsing.

Leach Botanical Garden is located at 6704 SE 122nd Avenue, 97236. For more information, see their official website: CLICK HERE.

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