On October 23, Maymont will sparkle with the colors of the rainbow as Garden Glow opens to the public. This marks the third year for the popular fall light show, which will run through November 8.
“We are really excited,” says Maymont’s director of marketing and communications, Carla Murray. “It’s a beautiful event.”
For the past two years, Maymont has been lighting the Japanese Garden, but this year’s event will move to a different location that is more open and accessible.
“We will have lights in the historic corridor shining on the Italian Garden, historic buildings, Maymont Mansion, and along Magnolia Row,” Murray says. “We will also have a glow bar and shop on the Carriage House lawn. Seating will be appropriately distanced.”
There were a couple of factors that played into the move. The Japanese Garden is an intimate space with a narrow path. With the public health challenges of COVID-19, it would be difficult to meet spacing requirements.
“Also, for the past two years, we have offered golf cart rides to the Japanese Garden and we think that’s not something people would be comfortable with right now,” Murray says.
Visitors won’t go through the narrow walkways of the Italian Garden this year either, but instead, they will view that lighted garden landscape as they take the path right above it. “We will have one-way paths through the Garden Glow experience so there won’t be any crossover of folks walking in different directions,” Murray says.
Maymont will use different types of lights and lighting effects, everything from uplighting on historic buildings to bistro lighting along Magnolia Row and new larger-than-life lanterns shaped like flowers and other elements of nature. “We contract with a lighting company and it takes about a week to set and fine tune the lights,” Murray says.
Safety measures will be in place that include social distancing, hand sanitizer stations, and limited capacities. Masks are required in all areas where people can’t social distance.
“We are fortunate to have such a spacious and scenic outdoor setting at Maymont that allows us to bring back Garden Glow this fall in a way that’s comfortable for our guests,” Murray says. “The safety of our community is a top priority, and we look forward to sharing an experience that’s sure to delight and inspire them in the coming weeks.”
Garden Glow at Maymont
Date: Friday, October 23-Sunday, November 8
Time: 6-10 p.m. nightly
Location: Maymont Historic Estate Entrance
For information, call 804-358-7166, ext. 322.
Go here for tickets.
