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It was a trip to a previous Norwalk-Wilton Tree Festival that encouraged Norwalk resident Robert Frazier to get involved with the Norwalk Tree Alliance.
He became so involved, in fact, that last year he was named Tree Advocate of the Year.
"One thing led to another and I just got very interested in the idea of planting trees," Frazier said.
The alliance works with Norwalk to identify locations that could benefit from the addition of new trees.
So far, Frazier has worked with others to plant dogwoods along Highland Avenue near the Rowayton Community Center, establish a tree farm at the city's Fodor Farm and make sure more trees are spread around to different neighborhoods.
While there is no expectation that all visitors will become as involved, the alliance, along with its fellow sponsors Norwalk Tree Advisory Committee, Wilton Garden Club and Wilton Tree Committee, are hoping visitors gain a better understanding of the trees that surround them.
The festival will run for part of the day, Saturday, May 19, at Norwalk's 190-acre Cranbury Park. It is a free event and that even includes lunch, thanks to the Exchange Club of Norwalk, which will be grilling up barbecue fare for the day. There also will be door prizes.
"We cast a broad net," said Frazier, in terms of the activities, exhibitors and organizations that will be featured at the event.
Visitors can stop at environmentally oriented exhibits and see some demonstrations in urban tree care by professionals who will offer free tips. If you are wondering about a particular tree, bring in a leaf, and the experts will work to solve the mystery.
For children, the festival features a scavenger hunt, a rope-climbing activity amid the trees, face painting and live animals.
More than 30 organizations are expected to be represented at the event, which attracted about 1,500 people last year.
Monroe-based J. Friend Woodworks is a first-time exhibitor. For many years, Joshua Friend has been making a variety of products, including platters, bowls, glasses, boxes, pens and others, through a process called woodturning, which requires the use of a lathe.
Friend intends to have a small lathe on hand for demonstrations. And, he's planning on making some spinning tops out of scrap pieces, which he will distribute to youngsters for as long as they last.
Friend said most of his raw material comes from collecting tree branches or trees that have fallen. He mostly uses what he can find locally, such as black walnut, maple, cherry and mulberry.
"I have way more wood than I have time," he said. "There is a huge stockpile that is waiting."
Friend said he is looking forward to the event, which will allow him to share his love of woodworking. "I hope as they see me making (the tops), it will spark an interest in young people," he added.
Another first-time exhibitor is Wildlife in Crisis, a nearly 25-year-old nonprofit Weston-based organization that focuses on habitat protection, wildlife rehabilitation and environmental education programs.
Dara Reid, the organization's director, said visitors will get a chance to meet some of the center's rescued and rehabilitated animals and pick up some information on habitat protection.
For instance, she said the spring "is a terrible time of year to cut trees," given the fact that many animals use them to build nests. She added that many trees also provide sustenance for many animals, such as oak trees, whose acorns serve as a primary food source for many.
Of course, the festival will provide the backdrop for this year's announcement of Norwalk's Tree Advocate of the Year. This year, Norwalk resident Don Nelson, who co-founded the Norwalk Tree Alliance in 1995, will be honored.
Perhaps among the crowd will be a future winner.
"The festival is all about fun and learning," Frazier said.
Cranbury Park, 300 Grumman Ave., Norwalk. Saturday, May 19, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Rain or shine. Free. 203-854-3200, www.norwalktreealliance.org.
christina.hennessy@scni.com; 203-964-2241; http://twitter.com/xtinahennessy/
