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Holidays at McKee: Kids have a most wonderful time

Holidays At McKee at the McKee Botanical Garden. Connie Cotherman, Ro Vandright and Christine Hobart.

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
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