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Heathcote Botanical Gardens
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Experience the Magic of The Garden of Lights By Gabby Gregory at Heathcote Botanical Gardens
If you’ve ever been to a botanical garden, then you know it offers a transcendent opportunity to relax and rejuvenate as you admire and appreciate the magni cence of our natural world. If you haven’t been to a botanical garden, then doesn’t such an experience — one that is calming, restorative, and awe-inspiring — sound like one you would enjoy?
We all deserve to feel those positive emotions, to be at peace... so take a journey with me to Heathcote Botanical Gardens, and to their magical, 7th Annual Garden of Lights event.
The Green Heart of the Treasure Coast
Heathecote Botanical Gardens has been a safe haven for plants, animals, and humans in Fort Pierce since 1986. As the “Green Heart of the Treasure Coast,” Heathcote is a vital source of information, education, and research for everyone from curious children and families to budding horticulturists and experienced botanists.
With over 10 different gardens and galleries, Heathcote Botanical Gardens has something for all ages not only to enjoy, but also to respect. Feel mesmerized by the largest bonsai collection in the United States, with trees (some of which are over half a century old!) donated by the late “bonsai master of Florida,” Jim Smith. Experience the tranquility of the rainforest as you traipse across small bridges next to rock waterfalls and lush greenery. Stroll through the Japanese Garden to marvel at the koi pond or the replica of a traditional Japanese tea house, built for an Eagle Scout project. Be bewitched by the Butter y Garden, where Heathcote’s Executive Director Joan Friedman says you can nd uttery friends at their most active in the mornings. If you’re lucky, you may even see an Atala butter y, once thought to be extinct before being mysteriously discovered at Heathcote!
You might think that the above ora is all that Heathcote has to offer, but the botanical garden has even more to see, do, and learn about while you’re there! Heathcote Botanical Garden most certainly warrants a visit during their regular garden hours, but this holiday season, Heathcote deserves another, special tour during their magical 7th Annual Garden of Lights Event.
The Magic
After local residents Tom and Judy Salmon brought the idea for the Garden of Lights to Heathcote’s Board of Trustees, they helped to bring it to life, making it one of the most anticipated events on the Treasure Coast. Tom has since passed, but Judy still volunteers her time at the gardens both for the event and during regular garden hours.
The “illuminators” for the event are all volunteers who dedicate countless hours to designing, creating, and decorating (in all types of weather!) the lights that transform Heathcote Botanical Gardens into an enchanted holiday wonderland. Many of the lights are even made from recycled materials, keeping in theme with Heathcote’s dedication to environmental protection.
If you’ve been to the Garden of Lights before, then don’t expect to see the same things all over again! Each year, the illuminators come up with a new, unique display to dazzle visitors. As Executive Director Joan explains, “The Garden of Lights is light, but it’s in an artistic form. The lights are created to resemble things in the garden or to enhance things in the garden. When you come in here, you see a transformation.” She continues, “Everything is made by hand. It is created with love by people who are not getting paid because they love what they’re creating.”
The Events & Marketing Coordinator at Heathcote, Tara Scarpignato, adds that they’re, “lights of love.”
Each night of the Garden of Lights event features different live entertainment, plus food vendors. The calendar of performances will be posted soon on Heathcote’s website (heathcotebotanicalgardens.org). Heathcote’s gift shop will also be open, selling artwork, jewelry, and more handmade items crafted by local artisans. Fans of local mosaic artist Anita Prentice will be excited to enter a raf e for one of her pieces, designed exclusively for Heathcote Botanical Gardens. And for the kids, the Garden of Lights will host Santa each night, with Mrs. Claus joining him on Saturdays! Take your picture with Mr. & Mrs. Claus or with Heathcote’s friendly life-sized polar bear statue. Children will also have the opportunity to participate in a “treasure hunt” for animal-themed lights. If they nd all of the lights on the map, then they get a special prize at the gift shop! See Heathecote Botanical Gardens in a Whole New Light
Experience the magic and beauty of the Garden of Lights at Heathcote Botanical Gardens! Tickets go on sale beginning November 1st. You can buy your tickets in advance at Heathecote’s gift shop or online at heathcotebotanicalgardens.org. Tickets will also be sold at each of the three locations for admission to the event. Your ticket is good for one-time use on any day that the event is being held.
The Garden of Lights is a handicapaccessible event, with handicap parking available in the parking lot at Heathcote’s front gate in front of the gift shop. A few wheelchairs are available on a rst-come, rst-served basis.
Tickets for adults (ages 13+) are $10. Tickets for children (ages 6-12) are $3. Infants (ages 0-5) can access the event for free. If you become a member of Heathcote Botanical Gardens, then tickets to Garden of Lights are only $5 and you get special perks, such as FREE or reduced admission to 350 various gardens and museums, including Heathcote Botanical Gardens, plus access to FREE or discounted classes and events, discounts at Heathcote’s gift shop, and more!
Joan recommends getting to the event early to nd the best parking spot! The Garden of Lights is very popular. There will be parking available on one of the lawns at Heathcote, as well as generously-given spots across the street at the Community of Nations church.
The Garden of Lights is sure to inspire even more feelings of love and community during the holiday season, plus a greater appreciation for our beautiful world. Give yourself, your family, your friends, your co-workers, your religious group, your neighbors – anyone and everyone – the gift of unforgettable magic.… visit the Garden of Lights at Heathcote Botanical Gardens!
