Quail Botanical Gardens lights up the holidays

North County Times – Escondido,CA,USA
ENCINITAS —- The smell of roasting marshmallows, the clip-clop of
horses’ hooves and thousands of twinkling lights marked the opening of
one of North …

ENCINITAS —- The smell of roasting marshmallows, the clip-clop of horses’ hooves and thousands of twinkling lights marked the opening of one of North County’s most popular holiday attractions Thursday night, the Garden of Lights at Quail Botanical Gardens.

During the annual event, held each December for the last 12 years, the gardens in Encinitas are decorated with more than 100,000 colorful lights, which encircle tree trunks, drape along limbs and leaves, and illuminate paths throughout the gardens. After the sun sets, visitors are invited to explore the grounds and enjoy traditional holiday entertainment such as horse-drawn wagon rides and marshmallow roasting over a campfire. There are also plenty of activities for children, including visits with Santa and arts and crafts. Ý

“It’s an event that has grown in popularity,” said Julian Duval, executive director of Quail Botanical Gardens, who estimated that between 7,000 and 8,000 people attended the Garden of Lights last December and expects as many again this year, if not more.

Duval said the old-fashioned ambience of the event appeals to people looking for an alternative to more commercial holiday celebrations.

“This has really proven to resonate with a lot of people,” said Duval. “It’s become, as we hoped it would, part of the holiday tradition.”Ý

This year, many of the lights that adorn the gardens are LED lights donated by San Diego Gas & Electric. Not only are the LED lights brighter and more vibrantly colored than the traditional lights, they are significantly more energy efficient, said Duval. He added that he hopes to eventually replace all of the lights with LED lights. Ý

Also new this year, visitors can purchase Mexican food from El Pollo Loco on the premises. More traditional fare including hot cocoa, mulled wine and other seasonal treats are also available. Ý

Duval said the Garden of Lights also has become a tradition for the many volunteers who help put on the event, just as it has for the visitors.

Volunteer Betty Roberts said she looks forward to it every year.

“I like seeing the kids,” said Roberts, as she and another volunteer led a group of children in an impromptu rendition of “Jingle Bells” as they waited to board the horse drawn wagon.

Susan Comforti of Cardiff came to the event with about a dozen first-grade girls from Brownie Troop 1410, as well as their siblings and parents. After disembarking from the wagon ride, Comforti said the evening had been “magical.”

“We’ve had an amazing time,” said Comforti. “It’s just been incredible for kids and adults alike. It’s a great community event.”

Over by the fire pit, Margie Nunan of Carlsbad and her husband, Tim, roasted marshmallows as a steel drum band played holiday tunes in the background.

Nunan said that although she and her husband are members of Quail Gardens, Thursday night was the first time they had ever been to the Garden of Lights.

“It’s wonderful,” said Nunan. “The first thing we did was hop on the hay wagon and let the horses pull us around.”

Nunan already had the rest of the evening planned out: “marshmallows, then a walk and mulled wine,” she said.

Although this was her first visit to the Garden of Lights, Nunan said it would certainly not be her last.

“Next year I’ll bring the grandchildren,” she said.

The Garden of Lights will run from 5 to 9 p.m. through Sunday, Dec. 12 to 23 and 26 to 30 at Quail Botanical Gardens, 230 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas.