Hi Globetrotters,
Winter is one of my favorite seasons. Yes, it’s cold, especially in Chicago, but I love bundling up in a tightly wrapped jacket. There is something comforting in that. It’s like an adult, swaddled baby. On top of that, the trees are bare, which gives you a great slate to display colorful strings of lights.
The Chicago Botanical Gardens tried their hand at a light show, since they had plenty of bare trees. For those of you who do not know, the Chicago Botanic Gardens (CBG) is in the northern suburbs of Chicago, and it has many beautifully manicured plants. My family and I usually go in the summer; My mom loves looking at plants.
For the rest of us, we aren’t too fond of it. We only go because it’s fun for my mom. However, this year, the CBG and Lightscape collaborated for a light show. I was excited to go only because it’s been years since I went to one. My mom was happy; We tried to go to CBG last summer, but we ended up getting caught in a downpour and instead shopped.
Mr. Lumberjack and I picked up my parents in the evening, and basically timed our arrival. When you purchase a ticket, you have to select a time slot. You only have a 15-minute window to arrive and park. I am really happy it organized the parking, because CBG’s parking can be like an endless merry-go-round.
Entering the garden was easy; Just show your ticket to get scanned. When we went under the pergola, you see some sparse tree lights. I personally thought, “That’s it?” However, the event is well-organized. Employees direct traffic and you literally follow a long road. It isn’t a free-for-all like on normal summer days.
Some of the areas, I could have used more pizzazz. Other areas, though, were perfect. My favorite were the singing Christmas trees and the synced lights, the curtain made of lights and the cathedral lights. When things tower over your head, you feel engulfed in magic. It’s hard not to get into the Holiday spirit.
The CBG did a great job for their first winter event. Not only that, but it’s super smart on their part; Attendance is typically low in the winter. I thought it was a success, and hopefully the business data displays the same sentiment. If so, I bet you the light show will become grander and grander each year.
Enjoy this with your family, and Happy Holidays.
Ciao,
Amy
amy 