Myriad to present ‘Winnie the Pooh’ festival

Journey into the land of Pooh, Piglet and Tigger, too, as the Children’s Garden at Myriad Botanical Gardens is transformed into A.A. Milne’s “Winnie the Pooh.”

Step into Christopher Robin’s 100 Acre Wood to do crafts, activities and see imaginative displays created by local artists that will capture the essence of one of America’s most beloved children’s stories.

The 10-day festival runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily June 8-17. Admission is free for members and children 2 and under; $6 per person and $10 with the Crystal Bridge admission. Register at myriadgardens.org.

Activities will include face painting, story time and bear-building, which is $6 per bear. Families can see the Observation Hives with the Central Oklahoma Bee Keepers Association; participate in the Rabbits Flower Garden Pop Ins, Children’s Honey Bee Class, Painting in the Gardens, “Hunny Bear,” Mommy & Me Monday & Tiny Tot Tuesdays and more.

Sensory Winnie the Pooh Night for families with children with special needs is at 6 p.m. June 8, and An Evening in the 100 Acre Wood is at 6:30 p.m. June 16.

Local artists creating Winnie the Pooh displays include Clarissa Sharp, Dana Elkins, Jenifer Witcher, Jessica Petrus, Kenton Peters, Moore Norman Technology Center Carpentry School, Nathan Pratt, Nick Bayer and Zephyr. More than 400 volunteers help staff run this event.

Children’s Garden Festival featuring Winnie-the-Pooh is sponsored by Devon Energy, the E.L. and Thelma Gaylord Foundation, Jean and David McLaughlin, Tinker Federal Credit Union and Goldfish Swim School.