This Weekend: Ringing in the Holidays
Posted in Around the Garden, Programs and Events on November 16 2012, by Matt Newman
I took an aimless jaunt around the Garden yesterday to see what the birds were singing about. Of course, I rarely have a goal when I set out, and this was no different. I checked to see whether the trees had given up all of their fall color (they haven’t), and if the NYBG‘s wild turkeys were still tottering around without care for man, beast, or passing Garden tram (they are). In the Forest, breezy reds and yellows still clung to many of the trees, and there was that pervasive, comforting sense of autumn isolation to wrap yourself up in. But what’s going on by the Visitor Center can only be called a holiday hubbub.
I saw winter-bare trees wrapped in strings of lights, wreathed benches, and a conifer display primped and preened, anxious for someone to come along and flip the switch on its own light show. And further down the path, just outside the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, I picked up on the telling twinkle of the season’s defining event: the Holiday Train Show! Horticulturists, model makers, and toy train aficionados have kept their noses to the grindstone for weeks, making sure that each elevated track and glowing window is left perfect for the thousands of New York fans ready to pour through those Conservatory doors. And because there are new models to be seen this year, the challenge was that much greater. But, as always, it’s worth the work they put into it to see so many grins.
Not only will this weekend mark the official opening of 2012’s Holiday Train Show, but the start of seasonal events for the remainder of the year, beginning with our always-lively tree lighting near the Visitor Center. Two lucky families from MasterCard’s Priceless NY sweepstakes are set to join proud NYBG representatives and New York City officials to “cut the ribbon” with the flick of a switch, while our carolers sing in the festivities under the glow of the lights.
All of our holiday activities–including film screenings and gingerbread events in the Adventure Garden–are set to take place in between the bird walk, tours of our awe-inspiring Valdés sculpture collection, poetry readings, and more. Have a look below, and even if you’re not much for this time of year, the NYBG is still the center of fall beauty in New York City.
Saturday, November 17
Bird Walk – 11 a.m.
Meet at the Reflecting Pool at the Leon Levy Visitor Center
The diverse habitats of the Botanical Garden offer visitors a chance to see dozens of species of birds throughout the year. Bring your binoculars and walk the Garden grounds with an expert.
Manolo Valdés: Monumental Sculpture Tour – 1:00 p.m.* with ASL interpreter
Meet at the Reflecting Pool at the Leon Levy Visitor Center
Join a docent-led tour of the Manolo Valdés sculptures set throughout the Garden grounds. Get involved in the conversation surrounding individual works of art.
A Season in Poetry – 3 p.m.
In the Visitor Center
Celebrate the season through written word with renowned poets Toi Derricotte, Brenda Shaughnessy, and Marcus Jackson, reading classic winter favorites as well as their own work. Co-presented with The Poetry Society of America.
Film Screening: Holiday Train Show with David Hartman – 11:30 a.m., 1, 2, and 3 p.m.
In the Ross Hall
A PBS documentary narrated by David Hartman explores how the Holiday Train Show goes from imagination to creation and features exclusive interviews with designer Paul Busse.
Holiday Tree Lighting – 4 to 5:15 p.m.
Leon Levy Visitor Center
View the lighting of a stunning conifer display by special guests and join in an old-fashioned sing-along with the Westchester Chordsmen, featuring carols from many traditions.
Sunday, November 18
Film Screening: Holiday Train Show with David Hartman – 11:30 a.m., 1, 2, and 3 p.m.
In the Ross Hall
A PBS documentary narrated by David Hartman explores how the Holiday Train Show goes from imagination to creation and features exclusive interviews with designer Paul Busse.
Manolo Valdés: Monumental Sculpture Tour – 12:30 p.m.
Meet at the Reflecting Pool at the Leon Levy Visitor Center
Join a docent-led tour of the Manolo Valdés sculptures set throughout the Garden grounds. Get involved in conversation surrounding individual works of art.
Forest Tour – 2:30 p.m.
Meet at the Reflecting Pool in the Leon Levy Visitor Center
Experience the beauty of the Garden’s Thain Family Forest on this one-hour walking tour with an expertly trained docent. You’ll learn facts about the trees, history, geology, and ecology of this original, uncut woodland.
Ongoing Children’s Programs
Gingerbread Adventures
Everett Children’s Adventure Garden, beginning November 16
Weekdays, 1:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Weekends, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Children explore the spices that make up a classic gingerbread recipe. Kids can step inside a child-sized gingerbread playhouse and also decorate a gingersnap cookie with frosting and candies. All ages will enjoy viewing a display of gingerbread houses made by New York City-area bakers.
