Bells were ringing and children singing as music filled the air last week at McKee Botanical Garden during Holidays at McKee. The four-day event was cut short due to a winter storm that blew in from the North Pole, rife with Florida snow (precipitation). In its wake, Santa brought lower temperatures paving the way for the festive fete.
“We’re thrilled to share the Garden during this special time of the year,” said McKee’s executive director, Christine Hobart. “Seeing families enjoying the garden is magical.”
Amid the flora and fauna of the 18-acre tropical wonderland, lighted characters frolicked in the forest amid thousands of colorful lights and decorations. New this year were illuminated icicles at the entrance and, sprinkled throughout the garden, large ornaments made especially for McKee.
The music of the 1924 Wurlitzer vintage band organ drew the crowd further into the fray of lighted flamingoes, snowmen, giant orchids, penguins zooming down a slide, a gingerbread family and even a Dachshund wearing a Santa hat.
A giant Santa Claus and his trusty sidekick, Rudolph, kept a watchful eye over the crowd near the pond while a cupboard of pandas snuck through the foliage with a wagon full of toys, and pandas sporting construction garb guarded the entrance to the Children’s Garden.
Children looked on in wide-eyed wonderment at the magical model train display, then sat with Santa and Mrs. Claus and whispered Christmas wishes into the jolly fellow’s ear.
The Royal Palm Grove was aglitter as twinkling lights added to the majesty of the grand pathway where the Imagine School Tangerine Music Group, McKee Melody Makers and April French of Lady Sings the Blues Band entertained merrymakers.
A Department 56 holiday village sprang up in the Hall of Giants, where volunteers had decorated a tree with items from the garden and horticulture staff had decked the halls with bamboo trees. In the Spanish Kitchen, children enjoyed a white Christmas and had a flurry of fun as “snow” fell from the sky.
After getting their fill of holiday cheer, a stop by the Garden Gift & Book Shop netted some last-minute Christmas shopping.
The lights will continue to shine at the Nights of Lights Celebration from Dec. 28 to 30, including the festively lit garden ornaments, vintage organ and model railroad display.
For more information, visit mckeegarden.org.
Photos by: Leigh Green
Click HERE to see more or buy photos
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- Holidays At McKee at the McKee Botanical Garden. Connie Cotherman, Ro Vandright and Christine Hobart.
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- Holidays At McKee at the McKee Botanical Garden.Emme Kane, Tori Malone and Julia Introcaso.
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- Holidays At McKee at the McKee Botanical Garden.Imagine School Tangerine Music Group.
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- Holidays At McKee at the McKee Botanical Garden.Imagine School Tangerine Music Group.
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- Holidays At McKee at the McKee Botanical Garden.Imagine School Tangerine Music Group.
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- Holidays At McKee at the McKee Botanical Garden. Maddie Gordon and Candice Thornton.
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- Holidays At McKee at the McKee Botanical Garden. Scott and Mandy Ramsey with daughter Lily and Rayma Whitney.
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- Holidays At McKee at the McKee Botanical Garden. Sophie Wolfenden and Alexa Roth.
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- Holidays At McKee at the McKee Botanical Garden. John McGlinchy looking at model town.
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- Holidays At McKee at the McKee Botanical Garden. Julie and Brad Damiani.
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- Holidays At McKee at the McKee Botanical Garden. George Lynch, Declan Lynch and Lilly Lynch.
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- Holidays At McKee at the McKee Botanical Garden. Ella White.
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- Holidays At McKee at the McKee Botanical Garden. Ahri Carvell with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
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- Holidays At McKee at the McKee Botanical Garden. Jada Allan and Ember Allan.
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- Holidays At McKee at the McKee Botanical Garden. Peter Tyson, Chris Caldwell and Eric Menger.
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- Holidays At McKee at the McKee Botanical Garden. Jay Petersen, Carol Murphy and Helena Krasa.
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- Holidays At McKee at the McKee Botanical Garden. Alison and Chris Taylor with children Ben and Hadley and Daniel Gibbs.
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- Holidays At McKee at the McKee Botanical Garden. Madilynn Butlers and Hayley Butlers.
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- Holidays At McKee at the McKee Botanical Garden. Cheyenne Clohessy and Scarlett Clohessy.
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- Holidays At McKee at the McKee Botanical Garden. Andrew Kwong.
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- Holidays At McKee at the McKee Botanical Garden. Andrew Kwong.
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- Holidays At McKee at the McKee Botanical Garden. Views.
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- Holidays At McKee at the McKee Botanical Garden. Views.
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- Holidays At McKee at the McKee Botanical Garden. Views.
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- Holidays At McKee at the McKee Botanical Garden. Views.
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- Holidays At McKee at the McKee Botanical Garden. Views.
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- Holidays At McKee at the McKee Botanical Garden. Views.
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- Holidays At McKee at the McKee Botanical Garden. Sue and Stan Murrell with Mary Thieman.
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- Holidays At McKee at the McKee Botanical Garden. Views.
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- Holidays At McKee at the McKee Botanical Garden. Views.
