MEIJER GARDENS PRESENTS 41 HOLIDAY TRADITIONS IN ONE BEAUTIFUL
10-31-2007
Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park prepares for the 13th annual Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around the World exhibition – highlighting cultures and customs from across the world. New displays for 2007 include those honoring the Chinese New Year, the Philippines and the Islamic celebration of the Eid-ul-Fitr. A recently planted 25 foot tall Concolor Fir in the Volunteer Tribute Garden will also be illuminated to honor the thousands of volunteer hours donated to the organization. Over 40 international trees and displays celebrating the many different cultures and customs and more than 300,000 lights will be featured in both indoor and outdoor displays. The exhibition takes place November 20, 2007—January 6, 2008.
This year’s exhibition also features the return of the Gardens Holiday Express, a G-scale railway garden, which exhibits scale reproductions of historical Grand Rapids buildings, bridges and popular landmarks. All of the structures are made of natural materials such as cedar and hickory bark, twigs, grapevines, acorns, walnut shells and even cinnamon sticks. Also, returning this year is the Victorian tree featuring more than 1,100 authentic ornaments that have been collected from the Victorian era. As these ornaments are very delicate and rare, the tree will be in a climate controlled glass case.
Meijer Gardens remains open until 9 pm every Tuesday evening as well as the entire week between Christmas and New Years. Thousands of lights take on a completely different look during the evenings. Other features include a luminary-lit walkway, star-lit carriage rides (provided by Grand Carriages LLC), holiday entertainment, family activities, Santa, holiday treats and Taste of the Gardens Café international cuisine specials. Also, every Saturday until Christmas there will be the opportunity to see live reindeer.
Coinciding with the exhibition, Joe Pagano, executive chef at Meijer Gardens, and Taste of the Gardens Café will feature selected cultures’ culinary delights. Special cuisine from many different countries will be available during extended hours on Tuesday evenings. Guests will have the opportunity to taste how other countries celebrate the holidays through food and experience delicious and distinct flavors.
TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY – Tuesday, November 20th 6:30 pm
Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around the World will open with a much heralded tree-lighting ceremony on Tuesday, November 20 from 6:30 – 9:00 pm. Guests will gaze in wonder as more than 300,000 lights are lit and the gardens and grounds come aglow with a sparkling glimmer indoors and out.
The evening will feature live performances by Embellish Hand Bell Ensemble and The Original Dickens Carolers. Santa will be on site as well as activities for families and children.
Meijer Gardens will offer horse drawn carriage rides with Grand Carriages from 5:30 –9:00 pm. Guests will have a chance to take a leisurely stroll through the illuminated outdoor sculpture park. Carriage rides are $35 for members (a group of four) and $70 for non-members (including admission for a group of four) and reservations should be made in advance by calling (616) 975-3151 or visiting meijergardens.org.
SPECIAL EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
Holiday entertainment is featured every Tuesday evening including horse-drawn carriage rides, caroling, visits from Santa and special cultural activities make an enchanting experience for the entire family.
During the week of December 26 – December 29, special holiday entertainment and activities will take place from 6 – 8 pm each evening. Carriage rides will be offered from 5:30 – 9 pm every evening and Taste of the Gardens Café will have dinner specials available.
Night and weekend activities taking place November 20, 2007 – January 6, 2008:
Tuesday Evenings
5:30 – 9:00 pm Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides
5:30 – 8:30 pm Sing-A-Long Trolley Rides (December 18 only)
6:00 – 8:00 pm Activities for Families and Children
6:00 – 8:00 pm Santa Visits
6:00 – 8:00 pm The Original Dickens Carolers
Saturdays
1:00 – 4:00 pm Live Reindeer
Week of Christmas December 26 - 29
5:30 – 9:00 pm Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides
5:30 – 8:30 pm Sing-A-Long Trolley Rides (December 28-29 only)
6:00 – 8:00 pm Activities for Families and Children
*Images available upon request
About Grand Carriages, LLC
Grand Carriages, LLC serves West Michigan offering horse-drawn carriage services for weddings, special celebrations, corporate events and fundraisers. With several styles of carriages, including a Cinderella carriage and a trolley powered by Percheron horses, Grand Carriages caters to the i
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