Southwest Arbor Day Fest returns to Grand Junction, Colorado's Lincoln Park this Saturday, April 27th. America's first Arbor Day was observed in April of 1872 when more than one million trees were planted in one day.

Read More: The Legacy Of Cottonwood Trees And Ute Culture In Colorado

Today, Grand Junction, Colorado recognizes Earth Day and Arbor Day as a day-long festival with live music, beer, food trucks, vendors, a tree-seedling giveaway, and a household hazardous waste collection day all rolled into one.

Arbor Day Fest in Grand Junction

Grand Junction Parks and Rec, Alpine Bank, and several great sponsors have a fun day planned on Saturday with craft beer, live music, and food trucks. Arbor activities are happening from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., The hazardous waste recycling collection will occur from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The craft beer tasting will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Find more info at GJPR.org. 

Tree Seedling Giveaway

Add more beautiful trees to Grand Junction by visiting Arbor Fest and attending the free tree seedling giveaway, or get into the silent auction to bring home a larger containerized tree for your yard.

Read More: Exploring Colorado's Hidden Giants: The Bristlecone Pines

The day will include a silent auction for urban wood pieces made from lost park trees and a notable tree tour. 2024 tree seedlings will include Gila Monster Gambel Oak, Chinkapin Oak, Northern Catalpa, Shellbark Hickory, Kentucky Coffeetree, Texas Red Oak, Galaxy Magnolia, Ohio Buckeye, Bigtooth Maple. Supplies are limited.

Hazardous Household Waste Collection Day

The collection event is free to the public as part of Southwest Arbor Day Fest activities. This year, collection day will focus on lightbulbs (CFL, HID, and Fluorescent tubes), paint (latex, oil-based, aerosol), and batteries.

Items that will NOT be accepted include electronics, industrial paint, or business waste. Please be careful when bringing paint from your car to the collection point. There is a $50 clean-up charge for spilled or leaking paint.

MORE: All 11 of Colorado's Beautiful National Forests Ranked Smallest to Largest

Colorado is home to 11 national forests that total more than 10,000,000 acres. Scroll through each of them in the photo gallery below ranked smallest to largest. We will include maps for each one so you can get out and explore.

Gallery Credit: Wes Adams

LOOK: One of Colorado's Oldest and Most Giant Trees is Near Grand Junction

Sitting right next to the Colorado River in Palisade is one of the oldest and largest Fremont Cottonwood trees in the state of Colorado. This special tree was another reason the site was included as part of the Colorado River State Park when it opened in 1994.

Gallery Credit: Wesley Adams

KEEP GOING: Grand Junction City Parks Ranked Smallest to Largest

Ready to get out and enjoy some time in the park this year? Grand Junction parks are a great place to enjoy fun outdoors. Many of them have basketball hoops, trails, playground equipment, picnic tables, and restrooms. Scroll on to take a closer look at 33 Grand Junction city parks ranked from smallest to largest by acres (not including skate parks or boat launches).

Gallery Credit: Wes Adams