World War II Tribute  | Lowell

WWII military equipment including tanks, jeeps and half-tracks provide a backdrop for Allied and Axis reenactor encampments, skirmishes and battlefield maneuvers. WWII veterans will share their memories of the war and on the home front. Food concessions, Victory Gardens, USO entertainment. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Eleanor Roosevelt will appear. Patriotic ceremony on Sunday prior to the final battle at 3 p.m. honoring all veterans.

See gardens, woodlands, wetlands and prairies in a tram tour. 60-minute and 30-minute tours explain the rich Arboretum history, and describe the trees and plants you'll see. There's also an opportunity to see lovely wildlife in a native habitat.

The new Railway Garden, a G-gauge model railway running through a 2.5 acre site, opens April 30. Visitors enter through a 1920s-era railway depot to see trains running through a garden of miniature plants, water features and a variety of landscapes. May 1 through October.

How important are bees and bats? What is pollen? How does pollen get transferred from one flower to the other? Just how do bees see? Learn more about all of this. May 5-26.

Experience the magic of the birds and blooms found at Irons Oaks. Search the woods for native wildflowers and migrating birds and discover their hidden legends and folklore. Bring your own binoculars or borrow a pair.. Pre-registration required.

Weekend features activities highlighting grizzly and polar bears. Zoogoers can learn what makes these animals so special, why they are endangered in the wild, and  conservation efforts. Guests have the opportunity to chat with zookeepers while examining bear artifacts, including teeth, fur, claws, and skulls, as well as radio collars that were used to track bears in the wild.

Children can immerse themselves in backstage preparation, perform routines in center ring or manage the behind-the-scenes action of lights and sound. Plus, try making a circus balance toy or dress up like a clown.

View an array of student poster projects exploring ways to reduce, reuse and recycle and learn how to become a greener citizen. Runs April 3-May 6.

A special exhibit on the history of Girl Scouting, with special focus on Oak Park, River Forest, and Forest Park. Celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Girl Scouts of the USA.

Exhibit tells the story of Girl Scouting and Boy Scouting in America.