Thousands Flock to Lilac Sunday 2015

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Eleanor Robinson of Weymouth takes a whiff of one of the sweetest lilacs in the collection.

Eleanor Robinson of Weymouth takes a whiff of one of the sweetest lilacs in the collection. Credit: Richard Heath

It was very close after a cold spring, but the lilacs made it through, blooming and blossoming their very best for the thousands who flocked to the Arnold Arboretum for the 2015 edition of Lilac Sunday.

Here's a gallery of photos from the Mother's Day tradition, which is estimated to draw more than 30,000 people.

It was lovely weather, if a bit hot, and parasols came in handy.

Chris Helms

It was lovely weather, if a bit hot, and parasols came in handy.

Arboretum guide Chris McArdle explains the lilac.

Richard Heath

Arboretum guide Chris McArdle explains the lilac.

All the lilac shrubs are tagged.

Richard Heath

All the lilac shrubs are tagged.

Visitors savor the blooms.

Richard Heath

Visitors savor the blooms.

Lines to this ice cream truck were predictably long on this warm May day.

Richard Heath

Lines to this ice cream truck were predictably long on this warm May day.

Photos among the lilacs were de rigueur.

Chris Helms

Photos among the lilacs were de rigueur.

Ice cream vendors, like JP-born Batch Ice Cream, did booming business.

Richard Heath

Ice cream vendors, like JP-born Batch Ice Cream, did booming business.

It's the one day a year picnicking is tolerated at the Arboretum.

Richard Heath

It\'s the one day a year picnicking is tolerated at the Arboretum.

Miss Akshay Mandlekar picks flowers for her mom

Richard Heath

Miss Akshay Mandlekar picks flowers for her mom

Akshay Anasha and Sunanda Mandlekar came from Norwood to enjoy the Arboretum.

Richard Heath

Akshay Anasha and Sunanda Mandlekar came from Norwood to enjoy the Arboretum.

Crowds enjoy the blooms.

Richard Heath

Crowds enjoy the blooms.

Arboretum lilac curator Michael Dosmann explains the Wyoming -bred Cheyenne lilac, a robust early-blooming shrub.

Richard Heath

Arboretum lilac curator Michael Dosmann explains the Wyoming -bred Cheyenne lilac, a robust early-blooming shrub.

A family moment during Lilac Sunday 2015.

Richard Heath

A family moment during Lilac Sunday 2015.

Not EVERYthing was lilacs on Sunday...

Richard Heath

Not EVERYthing was lilacs on Sunday...

A visitor photographs a bloom during Lilac Sunday 2015.

Chris Helms

A visitor photographs a bloom during Lilac Sunday 2015.

The JP News advised you not to drive...

Richard Heath

The JP News advised you not to drive...

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