THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, December 1, 1994 TAG: 9411300111
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DAWSON MILLS, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Short : 39 lines
There are lights, lights and more lights at the Norfolk Botanical Garden's holiday ``Garden of Lights,'' which opened last week.
In the drive-through extravaganza, many of the illuminated creations actually appear to move.
The display is planned as an annual fund-raising event for the Garden's not-for-profit corporation.
Attendees drive through the display in their own cars for an admission fee of $7 per vehicle. The tour takes about 25 minutes. Hours are 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 5 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
With 13 miles of lights and 150,000 multicolored bulbs, strung together with eight miles of extension cords, the displays represent the four seasons.
Just to mention a little of what can be seen, there are Santas of light and butterflies of light and giant nutcrackers of light and even snowflakes of light. There are holiday illuminations, a snowflake garden and even a nutcracker's candyland. There is a windmill, a waterfall, apple baskets, a snowman, Santa complete with sleigh and reindeer, and two towering nutcrackers. Many, such as Santa, the snowman and the waterfall, are in motion as lights twinkle and dance on and off.
The garden hopes to raise at least $70,000 a year from visitors to its sparkling winter wonderland.
``Garden Of Lights'' is open to the public daily through New Year's Eve. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by GARY C. KNAPP
The Botanical Garden is hosting ``Garden of Lights'' through Dec.
31.
by CNB