ITHACA, N.Y. -- "Seeds: Super Storehouse to Sensational Sprout" is the theme for the 2003 Judy's Day festival Sunday, Sept. 21, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Cornell Plantations' F.R. Newman Arboretum on the Cornell University campus.

Billed as a day for kids of all ages, the annual hands-on educational event is free and will be held, rain or shine, under tents at the arboretum. Newman Arboretum is located between Cornell's central campus and state Route 366, with the vehicle entrance and parking off of Forest Home Drive.

"In line with this year's theme, we're featuring a Weird and Wacky Seed Museum, music by the Shakin' Seed Band and more than 20 booths on various 'seedsational' activities," said Raylene Ludgate, youth education program coordinator at Cornell Plantations. "Kids of all ages are invited to enter the Judy's Day grounds through the giant seed cotyledons, pick up Judy's Day bags and start collecting 'seeds of knowledge.' You can test your seed savvy by matching seeds to the fruits we eat, for example, grow a pet plant in a germinating necklace and sit in a pool of seeds to bag up your beans. Just don't forget to thank a seed for chocolate -- as you check out the cacao fruit full of seeds."

The annual event honors the late Judy Abrams (1940-1996), a teacher and mentor whose family and friends endowed the program. Recently the SIRUS Fund provided a gift to expand the program. Past themes of Judy's Days have included corn, plant-based fibers and the underground world.

Cornell Plantations is the university's museum of living plants, encompassing the arboretum, gardens and natural areas on and around the campus. Plantations' educational programs are geared to students, children and adults. More information on Judy's Day 2003 is available at the Plantations Web site, http://www.plantations.cornell.edu, or by calling (607) 255-2407.

-30-