BROOKINGS, S.D. — McCrory Gardens will be giving someone a very merry Christmas gift-to the tune of $500 in cash.
“McCrory Gardens is pleased to collaborate with Bank Star on this fun holiday giveaway,” says Lisa Marotz, McCrory Gardens Director of Operations. “The drawing will be held on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24.”
Giveaway tickets are $20 each or $100 for six tickets, and will be available starting Nov. 28. You can buy tickets at the McCrory Gardens Education & Visitor Center, 631 22nd Ave., Brookings. You can also call 605.688.6707 or email sdsu.mcrorygardens@sdstate.edu to purchase tickets. As a privately funded non-profit organization, all proceeds from this fundraiser go to support the preservation and growth of McCrory Gardens-the region’s only botanic garden.
McCrory Gardens will be offering many opportunities for those interested to buy tickets during the holiday season: The big man himself will be visiting McCrory Gardens! Bring the kids to visit with Santa at no charge on Sunday, Dec. 3 from 2-5 p.m.
Before or after visiting with Santa, ride in a horse-drawn trolley through the arboretum. Trolley rides depart from the Education and Visitor Center from 2-4:30 p.m., with the last ride leaving at 4 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for SDSU students with their student ID, $5 for youth age 6-15, and kids 5 and under are free.
Enjoy an evening stroll through a holiday wonderland of lights. McCrory Gardens are open evenings from 5-7 p.m. from Dec. 2-31 for the third annual Garden Glow. The Garden Glow includes an enchanted forest of fresh evergreen trees lining the terrace lawn, each dressed in 1,000 twinkling lights. Santa’s summer home will be on view as the iconic Cottage in the Gardens will be decked out, and Santa’s workshop will be available for guests to peek in and see what the elves are busy making. New this year in the Garden Glow is Candy Land. Based on the classic children’s board game, the Perennial Garden will include all of the stops along the Candy Land path.
Santa will also be at McCrory Gardens several evenings from 5-7 p.m. as well: Dec. 4, 10, 11, 17 and 18. Visits to see Santa are free.
If you can’t make it to bring the kids to see Santa while he’s here, children can still let him know what they want for Christmas. McCrory Gardens offers a place where kids can drop off their letter to be sent to the North Pole.
Admission for Garden Glow is as follows: McCrory Gardens members, SDSU students with a current ID and kids 5 and under can get in for free; adults are $4; and youth age 6-15 are $2.
While visiting McCory Gardens for these holiday events, get your holiday shopping done at the gift shop, which features unique souvenirs and keepsake items.
For more information about McCrory Gardens, visit www.McCroryGardens.com.
— SDSU College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences
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