TREASURE COAST HOLIDAY EVENTS
51
MCKEE BOTANICAL GARDEN
McKee Botanical Garden’s model railroad display is a holiday favorite.
The botanical gardens in Vero Beach and Fort Pierce each
offer some old-fashioned family fun.
“Holidays at McKee” in Vero Beach Dec. 18-21 presents a
forest of sparkling trees twinkling with thousands of lights
and the large-scale model trains that have thrilled kids and
adults for years, says Christine Hobart, executive director of
McKee Botanical Garden.
“ ‘Holidays at McKee’ is one of our favorite events because
it really brings families together at the garden,” she
said. “It’s become a tradition for generations to gather here
for the holidays.”
Heathcote Botanical Gardens in Fort Pierce is restarting
an old favorite, Christmas in the Gardens, in the evenings
Dec. 17-19. Billed as “Three magical nights of lights, music,
holiday festivities, food and drink,” the event also features a
show of selected botanical art in the Pioneer House.
“This was something we wanted to do again. Come stroll
the gardens and relax,” said office coordinator Shari Buck.
Heathcote also offers its popular annual Garden Festival
and plant sale on Nov. 20-21, and the third annual Holiday
Gift Market Dec. 12 with free admission and proceeds from
purchases of unusual and unique gift items going to local
charities.
When the holidays are over, there will be one last thing to
do: ring in the new year at the Port St. Lucie Civic Center or
Riverside Theatre. Their New Year’s Eve celebrations will
feature food, fun and festivities to ring in 2010.
And then it will be Saturday and time to take the weekend
off.
Heathcote Botanical Gardens re-starts its annual favorite, Christmas in the
Gardens, this year.