Time: 10am–2:30pm
Rain or shine!
Will he see his shadow? Come find out at Grounds For Sculpture’s seventh annual Groundhog Day celebration! In addition to a musical performance of GRAMMY nominated Miss Amy at 1:30pm, this day-long event features educational tours of the sculpture park, groundhog-inspired workshops, kinetic movement workshops and storytelling (all activities suitable for ages 6 - 10). Hot chocolate and cookies to all who brave the cold and venture out into the park in search of “Art,” the Grounds For Sculpture Groundhog! Pre-registration for workshops is recommended–a $5 Materials Fee applies. For workshop descriptions, please click here.  To register, please call (609) 586-0616,Tues–Sun, 10am–6pm. Musical performance is free with park admission.

Come on in, warm up by the fireplace, and enjoy a special 3-course dinner for $39 and a half price wine list. This special prix-fixe dinner is available every Thursday in February. For reservations please call 609-584-7800.

Calling All Wine Geeks!! Think you and your friends know a lot about wine? Then join us in the lounge every Thursday night in February at 7pm for Wine Quizzo. Bring your best team to participate in blind tastings and answer wine trivia questions from regional wine experts. Each Quizzo night the wining team will receive prizes such as gift cards to Rat’s, wine and more. Wine Quizzo will be held every Thursday in February. $25 per guest plus tax and gratuity. For information and reservations, please call 609-584-7800.

Time: 6pm
2012 is the Chinese Year of Water Dragon. Dragons are the most powerful of all signs. But Water Dragons are special. They are wise because they see things from other points of view, willing to collaborate. In that spirit two culinary dragons, Rat’s own Executive Chef Shane Cash and the renowned Chef Scott Swiderski of Starr Restaurants Buddakan, join forces to present a Chinese-inspired dining experience you will never forget. Begin your evening at 6pm for unique cocktails followed by a special 5-course dinner to be served at 6:30pm. Reservations for this incredible evening are absolutely required so make yours now. Call 609-584-7800 for pricing and reservations.

Celebrate Chinese New Year with complimentary dim sum and dumplings.
Visit Rat's Restaurant every Friday from 4pm to 7pm for Happy Hour and enjoy complimentary dim sum and dumplings with purchased drink specials. Every Friday, January 20 until February 24.

Time: 12:30–3pm
Escape from winter by creating a miniature, indoor garden! In this one-session afternoon workshop, students will cast a concrete bowl with natural impressions of foliage and bamboo gathered from Grounds For Sculpture. They will also incorporate a water feature and live plants, bamboo, river rocks and natural stones to create their very own artistic table-top gardens. Instructor: Margareta Warlick. $60 Members; $65 Non-members.

Time: 11am and 1pm
Bring your toddler to learn about sculpture through hands-on activities. Listen to a story, become park explorers, and make original works of art. Rain or shine! Lesson and theme change monthly. Instruction designed to meet learning needs of 3-5 year olds. Children ages 3-5 (only) must be accompanied by an adult. Space is limited and on a first-come, first-serve basis. Meets in the Visitor’s Center. Instructor: Joslyn Johnson. Free with park admission.

Times: 12pm & 2pm
Mike McGrath is best known for his weekly hour of “chemical free horticultural hijinks,” in You Bet Your Garden, a nationally syndicated public radio show airing out of WHYY-FM in Philadelphia (91 FM). In his premier Grounds For Sculpture engagement, Mike will give two lively and always humorous lectures: “Everything You Know About Composting is Wrong!” and “Organic Answers to Your Toughest Garden Questions!” an intimate Q & A Session. Don’t miss this exclusive event. Reserve your seat today. $5 per person, per session. Park admission required. To purchase tickets, please call (609) 586-0616 Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-5pm.

Dates: Friday–Sunday, February 10-12
Time: 10am–6pm
Free with park admission
On this very special weekend, you’ll discover a wide variety of horticultural displays by several area garden clubs. Come to ask questions of their members to learn important “green” tips while basking in the inviting sights and scents of an early spring at Grounds For Sculpture.

Time: 1pm
Free with park admission
Join Magda Salvesen, author of Exploring Gardens & Green Spaces: From Connecticut to the Delaware Valley, a book being hailed as an essential resource for visiting public gardens around the New York metropolitan area and mid-Atlantic region, for a lecture and book signing. Seating is first-come, first-serve. Books available for purchase.

Time: 4–6pm
Treat your special someone to a romantic tea for two. Enjoy a delightful array of teas plus fresh baked scones, finger sandwiches, Petit Fours, and more. Plus live music. Reservations are required, please call 609-890-6015.

For a truly memorable Valentine’s Day, experience brunch at Rat’s Restaurant from the heart of our kitchen. The day includes a tour of our beautifully detailed kitchen where the heat and sizzle happens. While in the kitchen, you’ll select from a displays of hors  d’ oeuvres, composed salads and a raw bar. Our talented chefs prepare a wonderful selection of entrées right before your eyes. And be sure to save room for dessert! We’ll have a decadent assortment of desserts just waiting for you at our pastry station. Reservations are required. Call 609-584-7800.  Adults $59. Children 5-12 $24.

Time: 1–3pm
Get set for Valentine’s Day by making handmade ganache truffles under the guidance of chocolatier Charlie Musso. While the truffles set, students will create decorative paper packaging for their chocolates. Each participant will receive a complimentary glass of champagne and take home a gift box filled with approximately one dozen truffles. Pre-registration is required; please call (609) 586-0616 to register. Instructors: Charlie Musso and Carrie Calhoun. $30 Members; $35 Non-members.
** FULLY BOOKED **

Regarded as the most romantic restaurant in our region,
Rat’s opens its doors and flings its culinary arrows for a special Valentine’s evening. A decadent, five-course tasting menu will be offered alongside our a la carte menu. Either is sure to warm the heart. Let Rat’s Restaurant pamper and spoil you and the one you love with flawless service, intoxicating ambiance and sumptuous cuisine. For information, pricing and reservations please call 609-584-7800.

Dates: Friday–Sunday, February 17–19
Time: 10am–6pm
Free with park admission
The Herbertsville Honey Company is a family owned business providing local New Jersey raw honey, hand-crafted hive-related products, and education about honey bees, their role in our food supply, and the importance of beekeeping. Visit Grounds For Sculpture during these three days to get an in-depth look at their award-winning honey making process. Don’t miss the beekeeping lecture on Saturday!

Time: 1pm
Free with park admission
Herbertsville Honey, the NJ State Honey Show award winner (2008-2010), conducts an informative and fun lecture on beekeeping and honey-making processes.

Time: 1–4pm
Cherry blossoms are a beautiful symbol of springtime. In this drop-in workshop, families can construct their own cherry blossoms using tissue paper for flowers and leaves and attaching several to a branch to create the impression of blooming cherry tree cuttings. These delicate paper blossoms can be displayed in a container to bring the fresh color of spring to your home year round. Supplies are limited. First-come, first-serve basis. Instructor: April Zay. Materials Fee: $5 per child, please pay at the workshop. Park admission required.

Time: 10pm–2am
Calling all party people!!! We’re turning up the heat with Club Rat’s, a one night only Pop-Up club opening its doors at 10 pm for dancing and cocktails in the lounge and pavilion. Dance to the nonstop beats of our DJ and enjoy cocktail and drink specials ‘til 2 am.

Time: 2pm
Free with park admission
The first Master Gardener Program began in Washington State in 1972 and quickly spread to all 50 states and several countries worldwide. In 1993, Mercer County in New Jersey created its own Master Gardener Program as part of the Rutgers U. Cooperative Extension Program to meet an enormous increase in demand for horticultural information for home gardeners. On this day, Mercer County Horticulturalist Barbara Bromley speaks to GFS patrons sure to excite, inspire and encourage the residents of our area to participate in the rewarding experience of gardening!

Time: 1–3pm
A seed bomb is a little capsule with everything needed to grow a plant all bundled up: clay, fertilizer and indigenous seeds. Prepare for spring by creating seed bombs that will bring natural beauty wherever you throw them. Rain will melt the clay to expose and sow the seeds, and your seeds will grow. Distribute them in your yard or neighborhood. Be a warrior for beautifying the environment! Supplies are limited. First-come, first-serve basis. Instructor: Lynn DeClemente. Materials Fee: $2 per seed bomb, please pay at the workshop. Proceeds will be donated to a local gardening association. Park admission required.

Dates: Saturday & Sunday, February 25–26
Time: 10am–5pm
Free with park admission
Hydroponics is a method of growing plants using only the mineral nutrients soluble in water. On this weekend, learn more about this creative, easy and increasingly popular way to garden indoors with spectacular results. Visit displays dedicated to this alternative gardening method and learn how to duplicate the results in your own home!

Times: Screening I, 4pm; Screening II, 7:30pm
For over 30 years, New Jersey’s own Black Maria Film Festival (BMFF) has won acclaim for promoting independent filmmaking by widely exhibiting works by both veteran and emerging film and video makers. The festival’s annual juried competition results in 40 to 60 works for its annual tour, which has grown nationally and is now a “feeder festival” for the Oscars. GFS is proud to present two screenings of the Festival with selections specially curated for it by BMFF Founder John Columbus, selections that feature insightful, free spirited, humorous, experimental, even poetic works sure to delight and inspire. Be among the first audience members of GFS to experience these cinematic wonders. $5 Members, $12 Non-members; Park admission after 3:30pm is included with your ticket purchase. The Peacock Café will be open for dinner between screenings.

Time: 11am and 1pm
Bring your toddler to learn about sculpture through hands-on activities. Listen to a story, become park explorers, and make original works of art. Rain or shine! Lesson and theme change monthly. Instruction designed to meet learning needs of 3-5 year olds. Children ages 3-5 (only) must be accompanied by an adult. Space is limited and on a first-come, first-serve basis. Meets in the Visitor’s Center. Instructor: Joslyn Johnson. Free with park admission.