As the sun began to set last week, the lush grounds of McKee Botanical Garden came to life at the 13th annual Holidays at McKee, a three-night celebration that charmingly lit up the night. Attendees wandered the luminaria-lit pathways, listening to sounds that were somewhat out of place for the normally tranquil setting, with bells ringing, train horns blaring and holiday music playing throughout the garden.
As they strolled through the 18-acre enclave, families came upon a giant Santa napping near koi leaping in the pond, pandas frolicking among the bamboo, Frosty the Snowman lounging in the Royal Palm Grove, and snowmen playing hide-and-go-seek alongside preening flamingoes.
Music filled the still night air with the return of the First United Methodist Church Handbell Ensemble, whose bells could be heard from the Bamboo Pavilion. New this year, the Tania Tunes Carolers merrily sang holiday favorites as families strolled the palm-lined path of the Royal Palm Grove.
In addition to the lights, crowds return year after year for several holiday favorites, including the 1924 vintage Wurlitzer band organ, designed as an attraction at old-fashioned fairs, which has quite a following. Reminiscent of a bygone era, the pipe organ’s loud music mimics a full-sized band from its ornately decorated façade, which is just as much of a draw as its period music.
After writing letters to Santa and then sitting to chat for a bit with the Clauses, children of all ages were mesmerized by the clickety-clack of four G-scale model trains running along 200 feet of solid brass track. The tri-leveled display takes about one month to put together with three full-time and two part-time volunteers working on the project, explained train volunteer Peter Tyson.
“Everyone loves the trains,” said Tyson as he stood back to monitor the trains’ progress. “I’ve been building models since I was a kid and it’s still a lot of fun. It’s so satisfying to see all the smiling faces.”
About 25 cars comprise four separate trains. The most popular that night was the Santa Express, which was making its way through the tunnels, across the farmland and into the village delivering toys to good girls and boys.
The Hall of Giants became a winter wonderland once again, with a miniature Christmas Village that grows bigger each year with the help of volunteers. Ice skaters could be seen gliding across an inviting little pond, and you could almost envision snow flurries falling on the peaceful little town.
Holidays at McKee is just one of the many ways people can enjoy the garden. “It is our hope that everyone will spend more time at McKee in the coming year nurturing health and happiness by surrounding themselves with nature,” said McKee’s Executive Director Christine Hobart.
If you missed Holidays at McKee, you do have another chance to enjoy the “night life” in the garden. Luminaria-lit pathways will light the way for Nights of Lights from Dec. 28 to 30. Santa will have returned to the North Pole, but the wonderful lights, vintage band organ and model railroad will still all be on display.
As they did last week, attendees can also stop by the Patisserie at the Garden Café to enjoy a special holiday menu and can also visit the Garden Gift & Book Shop.
