By Kayla Hallac, Staff Writer
The lovely allure of Christmas lights and the seasonal aroma of fresh pine and s’mores will get anyone excited about the holidays. The only thing that’s missing is a choir caroling door to door – or flower to flower, in this case – with peppy Christmas tunes to let the festivities begin.
The Elizabethan Gardens is a 10-acre property that opened in 1960 as an imaginative portrayal of an Elizabethan pleasure garden. It’s meant to create a living memorial of Sir Walter Raleigh’s lost colonists. It has always been a beautiful site to explore in the summer, but come winter the gardens morph into a mystical palace.
The Elizabethan Gardens’ Winter Lights involve several seasonal events with everything from visits with Santa followed by family dinner to holiday craft workshops, or simply peaceful strolls among the lights.
“Gardens across the whole country have done this as a way to increase the education (of the gardens) because in the winter, there’s nothing blooming or growing, so they add lights to everything,” choir teacher John Buford said.
Winter Lights opened Nov. 30 and can be enjoyed until Jan. 19. Through December, the gardens are open Tuesdays through Sundays, then in January the lights shine on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, provided it does not rain. (Check their website/call for up to date openings and closings).
While Winter Lights has become a yearly tradition to explore the beauty of the illuminated gardens at night, it’s also a time for Buford to bring his choir and spread holiday cheer through song.
“It’s just been a tradition since forever, so we always go,” said sophomore choir student Alexis Martello, who continues to perform each season since elementary school.
On Dec. 14, the First Flight High School choir performed at Winter Lights during the event’s ninth anniversary. Buford has attended this winter celebration since the beginning.
“We like to put everyone in the holiday mood,” Buford said. “We do a rotation of songs and we try to do things people know.”
The choir sings its crowd-pleasing Christmas tunes in the big white heated tent on the Great Lawn. To kindle your holiday spirit further, the Gardens also offer a firepit to roast s’mores before or after you listen to the choir’s melodic tones.
Senior Elizabeth Montgomery made her Winter Lights performance debut this past season and loved the experience.
“It’s really fun, first of all, to see all the lights, but also be able to be a part of the magic of it,” Montgomery said. “Having all the people watch us along with the lights is really cool.”
The unpredictable winter weather on the Outer Banks makes it difficult to always find something to do, but thousands of people look forward to this event each year.
“It’s just a tradition on the Outer Banks. It’s something to do, and at a time when there’s not much to do anyway because it’s cold,” Buford said. “But this is one place where because of the lights and the magic of the season you don’t mind being cold for a little bit.”
Those who choose to explore the gardens create memorable holiday experiences. Between the choir and the stunning surroundings, they feel emotionally fulfilled.
“You see kids and families walking around saying, ‘look at this, Mom!’ And it just makes you happy,” Buford said with a grin.
As many as 5,800 people have attended in past seasons. This year’s grand opening night had over 1,000 people, huge growth from a decade ago when there was only about 300.
Buford claims it creates a “more intimate” experience than other gardens because of the opportunity to actually walk through, as opposed to driving through the lights.
“There’s something about walking through the woods and the landscape with the lights and the music playing, and maybe a cold breeze. It just makes you feel good,” Buford said.
Sophomore Kayla Hallac can be reached at 22hallacka85@daretolearn.org.
