<h2><img height="22" border="0" width="176" alt="Feature Story" src="http://www.siue.edu/news/img/featurestory.gif" /><br /></h2><p><img height="145" border="0" width="532" alt="The Gardens at SIUE To Host Afternoon of Fun-Filled Family Activities" src="/id0904f67a80597292" /></p><h2>The Gardens at SIUE To Host Afternoon of Fun-Filled Family Activities</h2><p>(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is having a party and the community is invited.</p><p>Friends of The Gardens at SIUE are hosting an afternoon of fun-filled family activities, live performances, refreshments and more from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26, in the 35-acre botanical garden on its campus.</p><p>Award-winning author Jennifer Ward, a native of Edwardsville, also will be on site to lead families in fun, dirt-filled activities. The first 50 new memberships or membership renewals to The Friends of The Gardens will receive a free, autographed copy of Ward's book, i love dirt: 52 activities to help you and your kids discover the wonders of nature.</p><p>"The event is driven by the Friends and we see it as an opportunity to showcase what The Gardens can be about as we move forward," said Doug Conley, director of The Gardens.</p><p>Those who attend the event will enjoy performances by the students from the SIUE Suzuki Strings program and a student brass quintet. Activities throughout the afternoon are free and open to the public. For more information, call (618) 650-3070, or visit the Web site: www.siue.edu/gardens. In case of inclement weather, call (618) 650-3070 the day of the event to find out if the event still is being held.</p><p>The Gardens is a Missouri Botanical Garden Signature Garden featuring natural areas, gardens and sculpture arranged in a landscaped setting. The Gardens is a public garden of beauty and distinction that serves as a natural laboratory for education and provides a haven for relaxation and enjoyment.</p><p>Free parking will be available in the Cougar Lake Recreation Area Lot off Cougar Lake Road, just west of the Gardens.</p>