Wichita Botanica “Illuminations”

Illuminations was once again a smashing success this year. The Wichita Botanica gardens put on a spectacular show with a lot of the same decorating projects from last year and some new ones too.

The big hit this year, besides Santa for the kids, was a massive synchronized to music light show in the wedding field. Lights were strung out across the ground, up in trees and on posts. The ground lights made waves while the others in the trees danced to the timing of the music. it was really something to see.

Last year Lisel and I had seen the same thing at a private residence that we discovered while out looking at Christmas lights. This one at Botanica was on a larger scale.

We both had volunteered a couple days this year to help with the set up. I spent 6 hours one cold day putting bags over lights that lined the paths and checking and changing light bulbs.

isel designed and put together the Beautiful fountain in the Shakespeare garden.

Once again there were trains, lights, trees and Santa Claus. The butterfly garden was filled with lighted butterflies throughout. Candy canes and white frosted pine trees filled the butterfly house that during the summer months is home to hundreds if not thousands of butterflies.

Throughout the gardens were scattered those lighted bucks and does you see in peoples yards this time of year. Not to forget the magnificent grape display. Hundreds of blue icicle lights hanging from the trellises that meant to resemble grape vines.

My own personal favorite every year are the four lighted trees floating in the pond and reflecting off the water. The five tree display in the great fountain as a backdrop.

As you stroll through the gardens there are various types of music and places to grab a hot drink of chocolate or cider along the way to warm the insides.

Illuminations should be on everyone’s to do list over the Christmas holidays. If you missed it this year, be sure to mark your calendar for 2010.