Penfield to celebrate Arbor Day with tree giveaway and electric vehicle show at the community center on May 2

Penfield, New York – Residents in the town of Penfield, New York will soon have the chance to celebrate trees, sustainability, and clean transportation all in one place. Community leaders are preparing for a lively Arbor Day celebration combined with an electric vehicle showcase scheduled for Saturday, May 2 at the Penfield Community Center.

The event, organized by the Town of Penfield in partnership with Color Penfield Green, will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is designed to bring together residents interested in environmental stewardship, greener living, and community engagement.

The morning portion of the gathering will center on the Arbor Day celebration, taking place from 10 a.m. to noon. One of the most anticipated features of the event is the free native tree seedling giveaway. Visitors will be able to receive young trees while supplies last, giving residents the opportunity to plant something lasting in their yards or neighborhoods.

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This year’s seedlings include Red Oak trees measuring roughly 12 to 24 inches tall and White Flowering Dogwood seedlings standing between 12 and 18 inches. Organizers say the trees will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, and no advance registration is needed. Community members simply need to arrive at the event while supplies remain available.

The Arbor Day portion of the celebration also highlights Penfield’s ongoing efforts to maintain a healthy tree canopy across the community. As part of the event, Kevin Berry, the town supervisor, along with the Penfield Town Board, will issue a formal proclamation recognizing the town’s participation in the Tree City USA program and reaffirming its support of the Mayor’s Monarch Pledge, an initiative aimed at protecting monarch butterflies and other pollinators.

While the tree giveaway takes place in the morning, the Electric Vehicle Show will continue throughout the entire event from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. The showcase will give visitors the chance to see a variety of electric vehicles up close and talk directly with people who drive them every day.

Local EV owners are expected to bring their vehicles and share their personal experiences with electric driving. For residents curious about switching from traditional gasoline-powered cars, the event offers a relaxed setting to ask questions about charging, cost, and everyday use.

Several organizations connected to clean transportation and environmental programs are also scheduled to participate. Among them are Greater Rochester Clean Cities, GreenSpark Solar, and Healthy Yards Monroe County, along with other partners in the regional EV network. These groups will provide information about renewable energy, sustainable landscaping, and ways residents can reduce their environmental footprint.

Organizers say the event is meant to be both educational and welcoming, giving families, neighbors, and environmentally minded residents a reason to gather outdoors and learn something new.

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Drivers who already own electric vehicles can also take part by displaying their cars at the show. Interested participants can register in advance to share their vehicles and experiences with visitors.

For those planning to attend primarily for the tree giveaway, town officials encourage arriving early, as the seedlings are expected to be popular.

Residents who need more information about the tree distribution can contact the Town of Penfield Engineering Department at (585) 340-8681. The event itself is open to the public and designed to celebrate the small actions—planting a tree or learning about cleaner transportation—that can make a lasting difference for the community.