All About Peppers Weekend August 22, 2009

Visitors can learn all about growing and using peppers – both hot and sweet – at All About Peppers Weekend from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 22, and Sunday, Aug. 23 in the Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden. Pepper tours, shopping for pepper products from select vendors, and special chili décor are all part of the fun. See more than 40 varieties of peppers (from 'Ring-O-Fire' cayenne to 'Sweet Chocolate' bell) growing in the garden, pick up pepper facts and tips from signs posted throughout the Garden and visit “Pepper Discovery Carts” to explore the history of peppers and the many types that can be grown in a home garden. Family activities include making a chili pepper butter mix, playing a special game to learn where peppers and other vegetables come from and creating artwork using peppers, eggplants, and potatoes!

As part of the Garden Chef Series, Shelley Young of The Chopping Block in Chicago will give cooking demonstrations at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 22. Juan Carlos Median Vazquez of Café Central in Highland Park will appear at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 23.

Admission to the Chicago Botanic Garden and All About Peppers Weekend is free. Select event fees apply. Parking is $20 per car; free for Garden members. For information about Garden programs and events, call (847) 835-5440, or visit www.chicagobotanic.org/chef/pepper.

Official Website: http://www.chicagobotanic.org