Are We There Yet?

4 million light bulbs to give gardens holiday glow

Garvan Woodland Gardens Holiday Lights opens Saturday at Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs.
Garvan Woodland Gardens Holiday Lights opens Saturday at Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs.

HOT SPRINGS -- In nature's seasonal cycle, this would be one of the least colorful times of the year at Garvan Woodland Gardens.

Blooming periods have come and gone for daffodils, tulips, azaleas and most of the other flowering species at this splendid 210-acre botanical garden on the southern outskirts of Hot Springs. Fall foliage has pretty much faded.

From Saturday through Dec. 31, however, Garvan will be glowing brightly almost daily from 5 to 9 p.m. The vivid colors will radiate from some 4 million electric bulbs during the gardens' annual Holiday Lights extravaganza.

This is one of the largest and liveliest of the public Christmas lighting displays arrayed across Arkansas. It's also one of the most popular, so it makes sense to come as early as possible to get a jump on the crowds.

Created by the late Verna Garvan and now a division of the University of Arkansas' Fay Jones School of Architecture, Garvan in 2001 was one of the first U.S. public gardens to do a holiday lights display. Bob Byers, associate executive director, began the project with about 500,000 bulbs.

In 2003, Lucy Bright was hired as a part-time Holiday Lights worker. Her three-dimensional designs became a hallmark of the annual show, presenting images of toy soldiers, gingerbread men, butterflies, turtles and assorted woodland features. The number of lights increased gradually to the current 4 million.

A total of 15 musical events will be staged in Garvan's Anthony Chapel as part of this year's Holiday Lights, beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday with an opening-night concert by the Village Big Band.

The concerts, included in the admission fee, will be performed by groups as varied as the Lake Hamilton First Grade Choir (6 p.m. Dec. 4), Hallelujah Handbell Choir (7 p.m. Dec. 9), Crystal Chimes Barbershop Chorus (6:30 p.m. Dec. 16) and Hot Springs Flute Ensemble (6:30 p.m. Dec. 22).

There is a charge for Holiday High Tea at 3:30 p.m. Dec. 2: $25 for Garvan members, $30 for other visitors. A variety of teas will be served, along with finger sandwiches, scones and desserts. Reservations are required.

Youngsters ages 5-12 can take part from 3-5 p.m. Dec. 6 in Children's Crafts: Going Wild for the Holidays. Resident artist Suzie Burch will lead her charges in making ornaments from natural materials such as pine cones, berries and feathers. The fee is $5 for children of Garvan members, $10 for others, with advance registration required.

No reservations will be taken for the eight Santa Nights at Holiday Lights: 6-8 p.m. Dec. 8-11 and Dec. 15-18. Fees are the same $5 or $10 for children 6-12, with no charge for those 5 and younger. Photos of kids taken with Santa every night except Dec. 16 can be bought for "a reasonable fee."

Holiday Lights at Garvan Woodland Gardens, 550 Arkridge Road, Hot Springs, will be on display 5-9 p.m. from Saturday through Dec. 31 (except Thanksgiving and Christmas days). Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children 6-12, free for youngsters 5 and under. The fee includes hot chocolate. Golf cart rides are available on a first-come, first -served basis for an additional $15 per person. Dogs will not be admitted during Holiday Lights. Call (800) 366-4664 or visit garvangardens.org.

Weekend on 11/20/2014

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