GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) – It’s a Green Bay tradition that has been shining for nearly three decades.
The Garden of Lights immersive light showcase at the Green Bay Botanical Garden is a favorite for many during the holidays.
For many families, a walk through the Garden of Lights is how the holidays begin.
“It just brings a lot of joy to see families, and especially the young children. They are just in awe of the lights, and of course, when Santa Claus is here, they are so excited,” says Laura Nelson, the president and CEO of the Green Bay Botanical Garden.
For a lot of families, this isn’t just a walk through the lights; it’s a holiday tradition, and while guests come for the sparkle, the magic really starts behind the scenes.
Long before opening night, hundreds of people help turn those lights on.
“We have over 600 volunteers at the garden. So, we start setting up in September, and we are done before we open in November,” says Nelson.
They’re also the ones making sure everything runs smoothly.
“Those volunteers are crucial to ensuring that the guests here have a successful experience,” says Linda Gustke, the director of education with the Green Bay Botanical Garden.
When the paths of the garden fill with families, that’s when all of that hard work feels worth it.
“One of the most magical parts of this experience is just seeing the families and friends come together, have so much joy when they’re here, and really have an opportunity to be outdoors in a safe and beautiful area,” says Gustke.
Each year, those returning will also notice something a little different.
“The light show has grown over the years, and we always like adding new things, so that people will have fresh new things to see and experience,” says Nelson.
This season, one of those additions lights up the Grand Garden.
“It’s called the ‘Laser Lights Show’. And it is really neat. It’s lasers bouncing off of fog and snow to music,” says Nelson.
Garden of Lights runs through the end of December, with just a few nights left to see both the classics and the new additions this year.
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