Area ice skaters shine during A Longwood Gardens Christmas
August 31, 2009
Contact: Patricia Evans
610-388-1000, ext. 442 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
pevans@longwoodgardens.org
PRESS RELEASE AND PHOTOS AVAILABLE ELECTRONICALLY UPON REQUEST
Brief: Longwood Gardens showcases Autumn’s Colors September 6 – November 22.
KENNETT SQUARE, PA – Fabulous fall color, glorious gardens and family fun await guests at Longwood Gardens during Autumn’s Colors September 6 through November 22. Enjoy the harvest season with giant pumpkins, unusual gourds, carving demonstrations, a delightful garden railway, our second annual giant pumpkin weigh-off, tasty autumnal treats and more. Outside, garden chrysanthemums in every hue adorn beds and containers throughout the former du Pont estate. Inside, enjoy garden mums early in the season until late-October when Longwood’s celebrated Chrysanthemum Festival begins, showcasing mums in unique forms, including Longwood’s largest thousand bloom Chrysanthemum to date.
Each day, visitors of all ages will enjoy Longwood’s model Garden Railway that travels past miniature Longwood landmarks made from natural elements. Walk under trussels as trains travel above and see the unique detail and expert craftsmanship of this amazing railway. A vast array of more than 100 varieties of colorful and highly unusual gourds and squash will be on display throughout the gardens, with interesting names such as “Orange Smoothie,” ”Jumbo Pink Banana,” and “Blue Magic.” Kids won’t want to miss the Pumpkin Playground, located in the Idea Garden, where young visitors are encouraged to interact with pumpkins--including hug, roll, sit on, or pose with the pumpkin of their choice!
On weekends, carillon music from Longwood’s historic Chimes Tower offers visitors the chance to relax to music among the gardens’ splendor. Longwood’s indoor conservatory, featuring more than 4 acres of groomed gardens, showcases the flowers of the season. Plant walks, history talks and demonstrations give fun and practical gardening advice.
Longwood is open daily 9 am-5 pm. Admission is $16 for adults, $14 for Seniors (age 62+), $6 ages 5-22, and free age 4 and under. The Terrace Restaurant, featuring cafeteria and full-service dining, and the Gardens Shop are also open daily. Group rates are available. For information, call 610-388-1000. Visit Longwood online at www.longwoodgardens.org.
Monarch Release, September 12, 2-4 pm.
Be eye to eye with a butterfly September 12 when Longwood hosts a Monarch butterfly release in the Idea Garden from 2-4 pm. Beautiful Monarch butterflies will be released by the dozens during the day while families learn about insects and other pollinators. Children can make a craft and meet other insect friends up close!
Trey McIntyre Project, September 13 at 7:30 pm
The Trey McIntyre project makes it Longwood debut with a dazzling evening of dance bursting with creativity and physicality. The evening’s program features “The Sun Road,” a new ballet that intertwines dancers on stage with giant video projections of Glacier National Park.
Tickets for the performance are $40/person. All seating is reserved. Purchase tickets from Ticket Philadelphia at 215-893-1999 or www.ticketphiladelphia.com.
Fireworks & Fountains—September 19, 8:15 pm
Fireworks, fountains, and music illuminate the night sky on September 19 when Longwood presents its final show of the season. Abbacadabra: The Magic of ABBA marks a first for Longwood’s fireworks by using all pop vocals. The show kicks off by invoking the disco era with Dancing Queen, Knowing Me, Knowing You, and Take a Chance on Me, then moves into the present with a high-energy rendition of The Visitors and a quieter Name of the Game. A throbbing Waterloo is an unforgettable finale. Special tickets are required and can be purchased online at www.longwoodgardens.org. Ages 16 and over $34; ages 15 and under $18. Tickets include all-day gardens admission.
Culinature: From Harvest to Table Dinner, October 3, 6 pm
Take a culinary tour of Longwood and savor an amazing seasonal feast as you travel to different garden spots for cocktails and hor d’oeuvres, dinner and dessert. Enjoy a meal created with local products in field kitchens by Longwood’s talented chefs. Seating is limited for this unique experience. Tickets are $150 per person/$130 Passholders. Tickets available online until Sept. 26 or by calling 610 388 1000 ext 100.
Senior Day, October 6
Older visitors can enjoy a day of beauty and enjoyment at Longwood on Senior Day October 6. Activities throughout the day include a cooking demonstration on Squash Bisque & Pumpkin Soup at 11:30 am, the Secrets of Creating Stunning Bouquets at 1 pm; and a concert of Broadway favorites featuring vocalists Nancy Hoerl and Frank Abrahams at 2 pm. A Tram will provide transportation to the Conservatory throughout the day.
Giant Pumpkin Weigh-off—October 17
Longwood hosts its second annual Giant Pumpkin Weigh-off on October 17 beginning at noon. Pumpkin growers from the mid-Atlantic region bring their most gargantuan gourds to Longwood in a quest for the coveted top prize. Last year’s winning pumpkin topped 1,200 pounds! Pumpkin carving demonstrations from talented artisans, face painting and more complete the festive weekend.
Chrysanthemum Festival—October 24-November 23
More than 20,000 colorful, blooming Chrysanthemums flourish in Longwood’s palatial conservatory October 24 through November 23. (Please note peak bloom time is November.) Longwood experts have meticulously grown and groomed these fall favorites into a variety of unusual forms ranging from cascades that drape the Conservatory walls and columns like flowery waterfalls to towering single-stemmed mums to the elaborate “thousand bloom.” This year, Longwood will delight guests with its largest thousand bloom chrysanthemum ever (more than 700 flowers on one plant!). In continuing with its year-long exhibit: The Buds & The Bees Pollination and the Secret Lives, Longwood will debut mums fashioned into bees and butterflies that float from above in the Main Conservatory and Exhibition Hall.
Flower Shows
Brilliant dahlia blooms fill Longwood Gardens when the Greater Philadelphia Dahlia Society brings its dazzling flowers to Longwood on September 19 & 20. The competitive dahlia show will be held in Longwood’s Conservatory Exhibition Hall and features hundreds of perfect blossoms in every color and shape. Enjoy the show Saturday, September 19 from 1-5 pm and Sunday, September 20 from 9 am -5 pm.
Floral designers from around the world converge on Longwood October 14-18 when the World Association of Flower Arrangers visit the gardens. See live demonstrations and watch as these talented designers create large arrangements of varying styles around the conservatory.
Japanese horticultural arts are highlighted with exhibits of ikebana and bonsai on November 7 & 8, when the Philadelphia Chapter of Ikebana International and the Brandywine Valley Bonsai Society exhibit their work in the Conservatory Exhibition Hall.
About Longwood Gardens
Longwood Gardens is one of the world’s great horticultural displays, offering 1,050 acres of gardens, woodlands, and meadows. Longwood Gardens is on US Route 1 near Kennett Square, PA. For more information, visit www.longwoodgardens.org.
###
