BOISE, Idaho — The Idaho Botanical Garden will soon be lighting up for the holiday season with the annual Winter Garden aGlow.
The event kicks off Thanksgiving day and runs through Dec. 27. They will be open Wed-Sun. from 6-9 p.m.
It will feature Santa and Mrs. Claus, snacks and warm drinks, and a holiday express model train display. You can even send the big guy a postcard.
"It's thanks to the overwhelming support of the community and the hard work of Garden employees, we are able to host this family holiday tradition, even during a difficult year," said Executive Director Erin Anderson.
Masks will be required and you are asked to social distance from others.
The Botanical Gardens' biggest fundraiser of the year was forced to make some changes and adapt to COVID-19. The pathway will be one direction only, with limited volunteers.
“Because we have created an event that follows a one-way pathway, we have been able to condense the light, but it didn't mean that we were able to hang the lights any later, we start on September first every single year 480,000 lights take a long time to hang,” said Anderson.
Capacity will be limited from ten to fifteen percent, with a maximum of 175 people entering per hour.
"The event will run a little different to ensure our guest's safety but there will be no shortage of holiday cheer and sparkling lights!" added event director Gillian Bovard.
You have to buy your tickets online. This event will used timed ticketing which is sold in one-hour blocks.
Admission prices are $12 for members, $15 for non-members and kids 3 and under get in free.
“In a year where many of us won't be spending Thanksgiving or Christmas with family, this provides us with an opportunity to get together and to gather in a safe way, socially distance and still create those memories that they have from year to year,” Anderson said. “For us to be able to operate this way for us and our community we just feel so incredibly thankful.”
