Carnation will hold its first ever Arbor Day event later this week.

The Carnation Arbor Day Committee announced the First Annual Arbor Day Celebration will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 29, at the Tolt Barn in Tolt MacDonald Park.

The committee was started by a group of residents working to improve the tree canopy in Carnation. Increasing the coverage is a step towards the city qualifying as a Tree City USA through the National Arbor Day Foundation.

The free event will feature live music, kid-friendly arts and crafts, a pruning demonstration, an educational scavenger hunt, native plant information and a tree planting ceremony.

“We’re very excited to bring this fun and educational event to the community and spread awareness of the importance of maintaining a healthy tree canopy in our city,” said Victoria Klyce, Carnation Arbor Day Committee co-chair.

“Trees are an integral tool in mitigating the urban heat island effect that has been noticeably increasing our summer temperature to unsafe levels in recent years,” she said. “Aligning our city with the National Arbor Day Foundation allows the city access to much-needed funding for protecting and maintaining healthy trees on city-owned properties, as well as improving our city’s tree code to reflect the urgent climate resiliency solutions we must strive for.”

There will be free native tree giveaways for the first 200 families. Light snacks, coffee, and hot cider will also be provided.