Vaishali Patel
Lockerly Arboretum will sparkle next month in anticipation of the holidays, and the community is invited to see the festive light displays.
Lockerly Hall will be decorated in a grand way with candlelight tours led by ladies in period dress. White lights will light up evergreen conifers, colorful bows and garlands will decorate the property fences, and candles will illuminate the inside of Lockerly Hall, which will display a large model train and an ornamented Christmas tree. Executive Director of Lockerly, Jim Garner, said talented volunteers, along with a professional decorator, adorned lights on various types of trees such as Japanese cedars and Leyland Cypresses in advance of the upcoming candlelight tour event.
“[The event] features natural materials for all decorations outside ... very traditional in that respect,” Garner said.
Santa will also be on site in his workshop, along with his helpful elves, who will be eagerly making wooden toys for the visiting children. Garner said last year’s successful event was a big hit with the kids.
“This is something for all ages — everybody has really enjoyed this part of the display,” Garner said.
This holiday season, Lockerly is also offering an opportunity to celebrate, honor or memorialize a loved one with a gift of an amaryllis or poinsettia for Lockerly Hall or an evergreen tree for the Arboretum. Tribute gifts of $25, $50, $100 or $150, depending on the height of the conifer, can be purchased at the Arboretum Office. Once purchased, trees will receive name tags of the person memorialized and placed into decorative pots, in which they will permanently be remembered in the Arboretum.
The evenings will be filled with holiday music featuring local artists and light refreshments will be available.
The candlelight tour is open to the public and is free of charge, but a non-required $5 donation is kindly suggested. Garner said last year’s event received rave reviews and the grounds were house packed every night.
“This event is one of the better events for the public in our community,” Garner said.
Candlelight tours will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5; Sunday, Dec. 6; Friday, Dec. 11; and Saturday, Dec. 12.
For information, call (478) 452-0830 or e-mail lindalayne@lockerly
.org.
