At Maymont, Garden Glow is a year-round effort.
When one holiday season wraps up, the staff dive straight into planning the next. From dreaming up new installations to refining the visitor experience, it’s a continuous process to ensure each year packs a more magical punch than the last. To accomplish that, it takes over 2,300 hours of volunteer time to put on Garden Glow.
This year, the immersive experience begins on Oct. 15 and continues for 3-plus weeks, with Mondays the only day Garden Glow doesn’t happen. While Maymont is known for hosting a variety of community-focused signature events like Family Easter, Garden Glow draws the highest number of guests. It also raises the most funds to support Maymont’s mission, which is to provide experiences that “delight, educate and inspire.” Ticket purchases, along with donations and memberships, help pay for caring for their grounds, historic buildings and over 300 animals, many of which are rescued wildlife.
What to expect
The festivities begin at The Robins Nature Center, where guests follow the Glow Path through light installations designed by international artists. The organizers partnered closely with the event specialists at U.K.-based firm Culture Creative last year to select artwork they felt would complement their landscape and capture the magic that is the hallmark of Garden Glow.
“Each piece is thoughtfully curated to inspire awe and wonder,” says Laurie Mavica, Maymont’s director of special events. “Plus, we had great guest feedback which is playing a key role in shaping the experience this year.”
The curated glowing art installations have added a new wow factor, not to mention photo ops, to Garden Glow. Expect to be dazzled by “Effervescence,” a lawn of tiny lights that change color and dance with synchronized music. Have an Alice in Wonderland moment with “Peonies,” bouquets of 22-foot-tall glowing flowers sprouting on Tulip Poplar Hill.
“L’Envol,” an illuminated flock of origami birds caught in mid-flight among the trees, was the vision of French creative studio Pitaya, who created the floating red poppies suspended in the trees along the path at last year’s Garden Glow.
“These artists draw inspiration from light to help tell a story,” Mavica explains. “Although they look like a collection of origami birds folded in various flight positions, they’re made of durable materials that enclose light installations.”
The heart of the Garden Glow
The heart of Garden Glow is a stroll through the serene Japanese Garden, enveloped in color from the treetops down to their reflection in the pond. Mavica is the first to agree that the experience in the Japanese Garden is the highlight of the evening. “But guests also love spending time in Glow Village on the Carriage House Lawn, which offers fun activities for all ages,” she says. “Kids enjoy our glow swings, striking poses at the Shadow Wall, and playing with the Big Bright Mega Light Board.”
Few would argue that Maymont isn’t a beautiful place to explore anytime. But the goal of Garden Glow is to bring the landscape to life in a whole new way, accentuating the natural beauty and harmony of tree silhouettes, flowing water and green spaces with light, color, and creativity. “Our mission day to day is to deliver experiences that delight, educate and inspire,” Mavica says. “With Garden Glow, from the moment you enter the doors, you’re in an immersive experience that captivates and inspires.”
Tramping through Maymont on a fall evening requires fuel and there’s no shortage of eating options for visitors, who can count on a diverse lineup of local food trucks, with about ten in attendance on any given night. Those with a sweet tooth or a penchant for fire may want to cozy up around a fire pit to enjoy the childhood classic S’mores.
Some reminders for attendees
Nearly 72,000 visitors – that’s the entire population of Kalamazoo – came through Garden Glow last year, admiring the gardens and grounds from a whole new perspective by walking the trails in the moonlight. It’s a smart move to secure your tickets in advance. Weekends at Garden Glow tend to be very popular, so consider the option of discounted admission and a more relaxed experience on one of 13 Value Nights, available during the earlier dates of the 23-night run, and selected weeknights toward the end.
Whether it’s your first year experiencing it or it’s an annual event you wouldn’t miss, it’s important to know that Garden Glow happens rain or shine and there’s lots of walking involved. Wear weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable footwear suited for walking rustic paths.
For those unable to walk the hilly terrain, a trolley shuttle will make regular trips to the Japanese Garden but note that it can’t accommodate wheelchairs, scooters or strollers.
“We recommend giving yourself at least 90 minutes to fully enjoy the experience,” Mavica says. “It’s an immersive experience that brings together art, light, nature, and community and you won’t want to rush it.”
Garden Glow runs from Oct. 15 through Nov. 9 with varying start times at Maymont, 1000 Westover Road. Tickets
