By Claire Johnson

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President Eli Capilouto and Mayor Jim Gray were among those who celebrated Arbor Day at the UK Arboretum on Saturday.

The  event included activities, giveaways and a ceremony that assured that the Arboretum will be around for at least 70 more years.

Capilouto and Gray renewed an agreement that the Arboretum will remain through 2086.

The pair also helped children shovel the first scoops of soil during the Tree Ceremony to kick off the event.

“The trees are a green thread, a green necklace,” Capilouto said, “that will carry the beauty and spirit throughout campus.”

More than 40 exhibitors  educated citizens about tree care, local plants, gardening and much more. One booth gave away free trees.

The Children’s Garden  was filled with smiles and laughter as kids splashed around in streams and took part in activities like tree cookie art, binocular finding and puppet shows.

Caroline Engle, an environmental science and agricultural economics sophomore,  said the arboretum  is a way for students to get plugged in to the community.

“I personally think UK should have more students come over to experience the nature here,” Engles said.

Volunteer coordinator Dawn Bazner  said Arbor Day is a way of showcasing the

Arboretum for students.

“It’s our way of saying ‘here we are,’” Bazner said, “‘Come and enjoy.’”