Don’t miss your last chance to see the holiday lights.
Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay is hosting its second annual Gardens Aglow light show this holiday season, an event that runs Thursday Sunday each week from 4- 9 p.m. The final showing is Dec. 31, and there will be no event on Christmas Eve. Thousands of LED lights line the houses, trees, plants and flowers throughout the gardens, resulting in a family friendly treat for the senses.
“The weather makes things interesting, but Mainers are tough,” said Folsom. “People have been bundling up in hats, gloves and boots, and the snow this past weekend made everything look magical.”
Folsom said that Gardens Aglow has doubled its LED lights this year from 180,000 to more than 360,000. Despite that high number, energy use at the gardens is still at a minimum.
“LED is a very efficient way to do the lighting,” said Folsom. “Our electric bill was under 100 dollars last year.”
Folsom said there are many attractions worth seeing at Gardens Aglow, but a highlight this year has been the fairy houses, which are built locally and scattered through the gardens.
“You can look for them, but they aren’t hard to find,” said Folsom.
There are five fairy houses in all, each with their own theme, including Maine ocean and Maine woods.
Folsom said the effect that Gardens Aglow has on the Boothbay economy is noticeable, as the town relies on summer tourism for the bulk of its economic intake and usually sees much fewer visitors during the winter.
“People go down to the harbor and park their car, go out to eat, do a little shopping and can then jump on a shuttle bus and ride up to the garden,” said Folsom. “They’re making a whole day and night of it. Community members are so optimistic. It’s really been great for the community. There’s energy and excitement as you walk down the street.”
Tickets for Gardens Aglow are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, $6 per child and $30 per family (two adults and two children), and can be purchased online at mainegardens.org.
bgoodridge@timesrecord.com
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