SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- South Bend Venues Parks and Arts and some local organizations will be hosting a celebration honoring Arbor Day including a free tree giveaway.

The event will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday at Pinhook Park in South Bend.

Arbor Day is on April 30 this year and celebrates the planting and growing population of trees.

Pinhook Park will be introducing a new educational trail about native Indiana trees.

The first 50 people in attendance will receive a native Indiana tree from a selection including Northern Tribute Birch, Prairie Sentinel Hackberry, Eastern Redbud, Adirondack Crabapple, Prairifire Crabapple, Chinkapin Oak and American Sentry Linden.

“This tree trail is the first of its kind in the area and we’re proud to provide something special like this to a revitalized Pinhook Park,” said Brent Thompson, an Urban Forester for South Bend Venues Parks and Arts.

“It’s important for our community to have the opportunity to learn about these tree varieties and their importance to the overall health of our local ecology,” Thompson added.

These trees can also be purchased and dedicated by visiting here.