Reeves-Reed Arboretum hosts its first barbecue fundraiser Saturday, Oct. 3, with live country music, all-you-can-eat food and drinks on the Summit grounds.

The event, called Country Fest: Boots & BBQ, runs from 3 to 7 p.m. at 165 Hobart Ave. Tickets cost $75 for arboretum members and $85 for non-members, according to the arboretum's event page. Guests must be 21 or older.

Proceeds support the nonprofit arboretum's gardens, educational programs and community events. The arboretum receives no municipal funding, according to a July 2026 press release. Private grants and fundraising events like Country Fest keep the 12.5-acre property running.

The all-inclusive ticket covers barbecue chicken, pulled pork, hot dogs, salads and cornbread, plus what the arboretum calls "bottomless brews, spiked refreshments, and flavored seltzers." Lawn games, including cornhole, round out the lineup.

New Jersey-based band Country Comfort will provide live music. The group won NYC's NASH FM Battle of the Country Bands and has opened for Craig Morgan and Sara Evans at Six Flags Great Adventure, according to its booking profile.

Barth's Market and Peerless Beverages are sponsoring the event.

The arboretum, listed on both the National and State Registers of Historic Places, has operated as a public garden since 1974. It is now in its 51st year. According to the arboretum's website, the property draws more than 100,000 visitors annually and counts more than 1,000 active volunteers.

Executive Director Jackie Kondel said in the July press release that grant support is critical to the arboretum's work. "These grants strengthen our ability to educate, preserve, and inspire," Kondel said. A $175,000 grant from The Stackhouse Foundation alone supports more than 400 educational initiatives each year, including school field trips, summer camps and adult education.

The arboretum grounds will close at 2 p.m. Saturday for setup. Reservations are recommended, as attendance is limited. Tickets are available at reeves-reedarboretum.org.

Coming up: The arboretum's Celebrate Fall Festival is Sunday, Oct. 18, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. That family-friendly event is free for members and $15 for non-members.