Arbor Day In Eagan Starts By Honoring A Specific Tree

Wednesday was not only Opening Day for the wildly popular Eagan Market Fest but also the celebration of the city's 25th annual Arbor Day—officially designated at a —and the 10th anniversary of the Grandfather Tree relocation.

The 150-year-old, 250-ton Grandfather Tree was relocated to the entrance of the Eagan Community Center in 1991 to make way for road construction. 

Mayor Mike Maguire welcomed the crowd gathered at the Festival Grounds pavillion saying, "Trees are an important part of our community (and) are more than just a logo for Eagan."

Kay Brown Gustafson, local author of Aunt Gussie and the Grandfather Tree, was on hand to read from her children's book and present copies to each finalist of the elementary school Arbor Day poster contest.

Gustafson is a former board member of the Eagan Foundation and worked on fundrasing to get the tree moved. 

The winners of the poster contest were presented—one from each local elementary school—and the grand prize winner announced. Yasuki Wu, a student at Glacier Hills Elementary School, will have his winning design printed on the 2011 Eagan posters.

All ten winning posters will be on display at the Eagan Community Center throughout the summer. 

2011 Poster Contest Winners:

Julia Porras - Thomas Lake Elementary
Elizabeth Wrightman - Woodland Elementary
Jackson Jedlicka - Red Pine Elementary
Derek Manzella - Pinewood Elementary
Rachel Ryan - Rahn Elementary
Paige Martin - Oak Ridge Elementary
Abby Scallon - Northview Elementary
Yasuki Wu - Glacier Hills Elemenary (grand prize winner)
Levi French-Amara -
Fanny Decattoire -