McCrory Gardens gearing up for holidays

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BROOKINGS – McCrory Gardens will give someone a very merry Christmas gift – to the tune of $500 in cash.

“McCrory Gardens is pleased to collaborate with BankStar on this fun holiday giveaway,” said Lisa Marotz, McCrory Gardens director of operations. “The drawing will be held on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24.”

The drawing is just one of a number of events gardens staff have planned for the holidays.

Giveaway tickets are $20 each or $100 for six tickets and will be available starting Nov. 28 at the McCrory Gardens Education & Visitor Center, 631 22nd Ave., Brookings. Interested participants can also call 688-6707 or email sdsu.mcrorygardens@sdstate.edu to purchase tickets. 

As a privately funded non-profit organization, all proceeds from this fundraiser go to support the preservation and growth of McCrory Gardens – the region’s only botanical garden.  

McCrory Gardens will offer many other opportunities for its supporters to get in the holiday spirit. 

The big man himself will visit McCrory Gardens for free visits with kids from 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3.

Before or after visiting with Santa, ride in a horse-drawn trolley through the arboretum. Trolley rides depart from the Education & Visitor Center from 2-4:30 p.m., with the last ride leaving at 4 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for SDSU students with ID, $5 for youth age 6-15, and free for kids 5 and younger.

Enjoy an evening stroll through a holiday wonderland of lights. McCrory Gardens will be open from 5-7 p.m. Dec. 2-31 for the third annual Garden Glow. 

Admission for Garden Glow is free for McCrory Gardens members, SDSU students with ID and kids 5 and younger, $4 for adults, and $2 for youth ages 6-15 years.

Garden Glow includes an enchanted forest of fresh evergreen trees lining the terrace lawn, each dressed in 1,000 twinkling lights. Santa’s summer home will be on view as the iconic Cottage in the Gardens will be decked out, and Santa’s workshop will be available for guests to peek in and see what the elves are busy making. 

New this year in Garden Glow is Candy Land. Based on the classic children’s board game, the Perennial Garden will include all of the stops along the Candy Land path.

Santa will be at McCrory Gardens several evenings from 5-7 p.m. as well: Dec. 4, Dec. 10, Dec. 11, Dec. 17 and Dec. 18. Visits to see Santa are free.

If you can’t make it to bring the kids to see Santa while he’s here, children can still let him know what they want for Christmas. Kids can drop off their letters to Santa at the gardens to be sent to the North Pole.

Music and Mistletoe

The annual Music and Mistletoe at McCrory Gardens will be held from 7-10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, also at the Education & Visitor Center.

The classic holiday evening will ignite the lights and spirit for the season of Garden Glow. Tickets for Music and Mistletoe are $35 and are available by calling the welcome desk at 688-6707.

Support the gardens through the purchase of raffle tickets and have the opportunity to win through the Chance-to-Choice Auction. Purchase the number of chances you would like and place them in the container of the item(s) of your choice. Winners are drawn the night of the event.

Another way to support the gardens is with Giving Garland Sponsorships, for those who want to fund specific needs.

The schedule for Music and Mistletoe includes:

 7-8:30 p.m. – Hors d’oeuvres buffet featuring a “Twist on Tradition” with a cash bar

 8:30 p.m. – Grand lighting of Garden Glow 2017

 9 p.m. – Dessert, coffee and caroling, and a photo-booth. Goofy hats, silly ‘staches, maybe even a grass skirt. You know what to do. 

For more information about McCrory Gardens, visit www.McCroryGardens.com.