| Wilmington,
NC – November 2016 / Newsmaker Alert / Elaborate light displays,
along with hundreds of festive plants, seasonal music and “singing trees”
will soon transform Airlie Gardens into Enchanted
Airlie, a beloved holiday tradition. Each year since 2005, visitors
from across the U.S. and abroad have traveled to Wilmington,
North Carolina to celebrate the holiday season at Enchanted Airlie.
On select dates through December 22, Airlie’s tastefully decorated half-mile,
self-guided walking trail will bedazzle visitors of all ages with an estimated
one million (yes, one million!) twinkling lights.
Enchanted Airlie is a holiday
light extravaganza like no other with an enchanted nighttime forest of
theatrically illuminated live oaks, small native trees, holiday flowers
and elegant displays in a coastal garden setting. Volunteers and staff
begin planning in January and decorating by early September so visitors
can experience a 35-acre wonderland of seasonal sights and sounds. Each
year Airlie expands the event, adding more exhibits. New for this year
are “singing trees” that have been decorated with lights and choreographed
to music.
Other highlights include
live musical entertainment and visits with Santa, who will greet guests
and pose for photos inside Airlie’s main building. Snacks and warm cocoa,
as well as wine and a local craft brew will be available for purchase.
The Airlie Gardens gift shop will also be open with one-of-a-kind gifts.
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Want to go? Enchanted
Airlie runs from Thanksgiving weekend through late December on select dates:
December 2-4, 9-11, and 15-22, and in two time slots: 5:00-7:00 p.m. and
7:00–9:00 p.m. Enchanted Airlie tickets must be purchased in advance,
no later than 4:00 p.m. the night of the event. Due to the popularity
of this event (insider tip: many dates sell out in advance), visitors
are strongly encouraged to purchase tickets for their preferred dates prior
to travel. Tickets are available for purchase online at www.airliegardens.org
or in-person at the Airlie Gardens service center (300 Airlie Rd., Wilmington)
between 9am and 4pm. An economical option is the carload ticket for $27,
which will cover as many people as will safely fit into an automobile (car,
truck, SUV & mini-vans only). Groups arriving by bus, large van or
limousine should contact Airlie Gardens for special group reservations.
Airlie
Gardens, located at 300 Airlie Road, is a 67-acre historic public garden
bordering Bradley Creek in Wilmington, North Carolina. Visitors are encouraged
to dress warmly and comfortably for the half-mile outdoor walking tour
on gravel, sand, and mulch paths. For details about Enchanted Airlie, please
call 910-798-7700 or visit the Airlie Gardens website www.airliegardens.org
for event information, rules, restrictions and rain policy.
City + Beaches: See
where the water takes you this holiday season! From the river to the sea,
more than 50 holiday-themed events help celebrate in Wilmington,
North Carolina’s historic river district and the island beaches of
Carolina Beach, Kure
Beach, and Wrightsville
Beach. For seasonal specials and visitor information and to download
a free Holiday Event Brochure (PDF file), visit WilmingtonAndBeachesHoliday.
For a free official visitors guide, call 1-866-266-9690, email visit@wilmingtonandbeaches.com,
or stop by the Visitors Information Center at 505 Nutt Street, Unit A,
in Wilmington’s river district.
Media
Contact:
Wilmington
and Beaches Convention & Visitors Bureau
Connie
Nelson
Communications/PR
Director
910-332-8751
866-266-9690
ext. 120
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The
New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority d/b/a Wilmington and Beaches
Convention and Visitors Bureau is the official destination marketing organization
of New Hanover County, North Carolina that stimulates economic development
through the promotion of travel and tourism.
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