INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — McKee Botanical Garden is a magical place at any time of year. During this winter solstice time of year, McKee dresses up in its most festive holiday finery and invites the community to visit the lush gardens at night.
This weekend, a crowd of more than 700 people strolled through the plant paradise, taking in sparkly lights and luminaria sprinkled throughout the flora.
Children visited Santa and make their cases for last minute treasures. Helped by volunteers, young visitors could write a letter to Santa, or take a trip through Mrs. Claus’ Serendipity Candy Shop.
Locals greeted each other as holiday songs were sung by carolers guarding a gingerbread house made of lights and trees, at the end of a long path of majestic palms wrapped in starry lights.
A vintage Wurlitzer band organ piped Christmas music, making it difficult for Scrooges to stay sour for long.
“The Wurlitzer is my favorite,” said Volunteer Coordinator Ro Vandright. “The music turns me on and puts everyone in the spirit.”
Vandright, who was wearing elf ears, praised the cadre of volunteers who helped make the evening possible, including Scout Troop 567.
The event’s big star was the G-scale model train. The display featured 200 feet of track on three levels, centered around a miniature town. For the past year, train volunteer Peter Tyson has been working on a number of enhancements for the elaborate display. Making its debut was a water tower that Tyson dedicated 30 hours to creating. Construction of the display takes approximately 200 hours.
“It takes a lot of time to put the train display together, but it’s worth it in the end,” said Tyson, who describes it as a labor of love. “My reward is sharing it with others and seeing their reaction.”
Included in the surprises along the garden path were several sculptures featured in the Garden’s Seward Johnson Sculpture Exhibition, lit for night-time viewing. The exhibition features twenty life-size bronze creations by the American artist, and will be available for daily viewing in its entirety from January 3 through April 27.
The Bamboo Pavilion hosted one of the statues, a lifelike celebrating couple, oblivious to the commotion surrounding them.
“This is the most awesomest thing I’ve ever seen,” said one dazzled little girl, upon entering the Hall of Giants and viewing the grand table adorned with hundreds of mason jars filled with Christmas baubles. Adorned in greens, poinsettias, and white lights, the Outdoor Kitchen looked ready for a cowboy Christmas.
For those who missed the spectacle, McKee Botanical Garden is hosting “Nights of Lights” on Dec. 27, 28, and 29 from 6 until 7:30 p.m. The garden is located at 350 US 1 in Vero Beach. General admission rates are $10 adults, $9 seniors and $5 children ages 3 to 12. Admission is free for members and children under 3. Hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m, and Sunday, Noon to 5 p.m.