by Alexsandra Ruiz-Ortíz
With the end of warmer weather and Colorado’s landscape looking bare and brown, the Botanic Gardens at York St. reminds Denver that winter is still beautiful and majestic. Through January 1, 2019, the Denver Botanic Gardens transforms their almost barren winter land into a family-friendly event full of multi-colored lights on almost every tree and bush. “Blossoms of Light” continues to surprise people and brighten winter nights in Denver.
Generations of people walk along a path around the Gardens to enjoy the wonderful colorful trees and bushes twinkling in the night. There are trees that are artfully turned into candy canes as blue, green, orange, or pink lights twirl around the trunk. Along with the stunning lights, there is an interactive touchscreen that welcomes all ages to create a pattern on the screen where the lights on the ground will follow along. There is not a moment on the path where it doesn’t feel like a peaceful winter wonderland.
The Denver Botanic Gardens at York St. sets up between 500,000 to 700,000 lights to create the spectacular Blossoms of Lights display.
Since 1988, the Denver Botanic Gardens created “Blossoms of Lights” to “create winter interest and activity at the Gardens,” Erin Bird, Communications Manager at Botanic Gardens, states. “At the time, the Gardens didn’t have as much year-round programming, so they wanted to create a special holiday event to bring people to the Gardens when the outdoor flowers were not in season.”
For 30 years, families continue to attend “Blossoms of Lights” despite the bitter cold nights. It has become a Denver tradition to attend the at least once, but it is also a tradition because it is where people can relive childhood memories. Returning members or first-time attendees see something different every year as the Denver Botanic Gardens create new features, path routes, and color themes to keep people excited every year. Last year, 160,000 visitors came to the Denver Botanic Gardens for the “Blossoms of Light” holiday display. This year, tickets are selling out weeks in advance for popular dates.
The intense preparation and labor force that is put forth to have the event be a success is impressive. Bird describes how after Labor Day each year, the Denver Botanic Gardens sets up between 500,000 to 700,000 lights to create the spectacular view. “The staff are already planning the designs and color patterns for next year,” Bird explains.
Each year, people attend “Blossoms of Light” and leave with a favorite moment or aspect of the event.
For Bird, “I love exploring the Gardens after dark and seeing the plants and gardens used as canvases for beautiful light displays.”
For myself, I love how the lights reflect off the almost frozen water as well as the trees arching over the path to create a colorful entrance.
For more information about the Blossoms of Lights display: www.botanicgardens.org or call 720-865-3500. The Denver Botanic Gardens is located at 1007 York St., Denver CO. The display continues through Jan. 1, 2019 and includes Dec. 24, 25 & 31, hours are 5-9pm.
Alexsandra Ruiz-Ortíz is student at Metropolitan State University and Intern at The Weekly Issue/El Semanario.
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