INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — McKee Botanical Garden is pleased to announce its schedule of events for the upcoming 2014-2015 season. The season will kick-off with Community Appreciation Day on Saturday, Oct. 4. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., admission will be $1 per visitor.
On Jan. 16, Nature Connects, A LEGO® Brick Exhibition will open at McKee. Nature Connects features 14 separate installations comprised of 27 individual sculptures, each representing a different nature-related theme. The sculptures are created entirely from LEGO bricks by artist Sean Kenney, and range in size from 6 inches to 8 feet. The exhibition will be on display through April 12.
Additional events taking place throughout the season include:
- Bridge in the Garden: Nov. 10, 9 a.m. – 1p.m.; Duplicate Bridge followed by lunch in the historic Hall of Giants; Tickets: $75-$100.
- Holidays at McKee: Dec. 20, 21 & 22, 6 – 8 p.m.; Thousands of twinkling lights, festive decorations, holiday music played by vintage band organ, Santa Claus, and model train display.
- Nights of Lights: Dec. 27, 28 & 29, 6 – 7:30 p.m.; Stroll along luminaria-lit pathways through a sea of sparkling lights, special lighting displays in ponds and waterways, additional viewing of model train display.
- McKee Movie Nights: Feb. 6, 20 & March 6, 6 – 9 p.m.; Bring a chair or blanket for a family-friendly movie screening and view the Nature Connects sculptures at night.
- Sixth Annual Motorcar Exhibition – Car Collectors’ Favorites: Feb. 14, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.; More than 40 of the finest, most admired automobiles chosen from owner’s private collections on display in the Garden; Special admission rate: $10.
- Fifth Annual Fairy Festival: May 2, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.; Children are invited to dress in costume and celebrate the world of fairies and pirates with themed activities and entertainment.
- Waterlily Celebration: June 20, 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.; See McKee’s ponds and waterways alive with color from 300 waterlily plants in bloom. Repotting demonstrations, waterlily photo contest, and aquatic plant sale.
Regular admission rates apply for all events, except where noted. For evening events, the Garden will close at its regularly scheduled time of 5 p.m. and re-open at 6 p.m.
McKee Botanical Garden is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to nurture and enhance a historic garden in a unique tropical setting for the education, enjoyment and enrichment of all. McKee Botanical Garden is located at 350 US Highway 1 in Vero Beach. Effective Oct. 31, seasonal admission rates are $12 adults, $11 seniors and $8 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. The Garden is closed Mondays, except where noted for special events.
For information, please call 772-794-0601 or visit www.mckeegarden.org