Christmas Magic continues at VIU’s Milner Gardens and Woodland

Christmas Magic at Milner Gardens and Woodland features the


Cantando Chamber Singers this


evening (Friday) and Starlight Reverie on Saturday.

Both performances start


at 6 pm in the main house.  On


Sunday, actor Douglas Fisher will


read A Child's Christmas in Wales by


Dylan Thomas. The two readings will be


at 6 pm and 7:30 pm.  In between the


readings, there will be a performance by the Culacino String Quartet with


soprano Hilary Whelton and Marianne Sadik on flute.

Milner


Christmas Magic continues Dec. 17-21 with something for everyone in the family.


The gift shop is open and there will be a silent auction for those who want to


do some shopping.  The Tea Room will be


open and hot dogs and chili are available. Children can guess the number of


teddy bears in the gardener’s cottage for a chance to win a prize. Volunteers


from the Qualicum branch of Vancouver Island Regional Library are on hand each


night to tell seasonal stories in the Queen’s Room.

“Santa


will take time out from his busy schedule and be there every night,” said Geoff


Ball, executive director of Milner Gardens and Woodland.

This


is the seventh season for Milner Christmas Magic. More than 50,000


Christmas lights are on display from 5 to 8:30 pm. Admission is by donation and money


raised at the event supports a variety of programs at the picturesque 70-acre


site on the West Island Highway south of Qualicum Beach.

“It’s


an important fundraiser for us,” Ball said.

The


weather has been good for Milner Christmas Magic this December. Two years ago,


the event was disrupted by a severe windstorm. Last winter, heavy snowfall


forced the gardens to close seven out of 11 nights.

Visitors


should dress warmly and consider bringing a flashlight for the walk from the


gate to Milner House. A golf cart shuttle is available for those with mobility


issues.

Milner Christmas


Magic  -  Performers

Friday, Dec. 11      Cantando Chamber Singers  

Saturday, Dec. 12 Starlight Reverie

Sunday, Dec. 13   


Douglas Fisher reads A Child’s Christmas


in Wales by Dylan Thomas


                                 Culacino


String Quartet with soprano Hilary Whelton and Marianne Sadik on flute.

Thursday, Dec. 17 


Second Wind

Friday, Dec. 18       Maureen O’Hearne   

Saturday, Dec. 19   Aaron Hansen  


        

Sunday, Dec. 20     Starlight Reverie

Monday, Dec. 21   


McShane sisters 

-30-

For more information, visit www.milnergardens.org


or call 250-752-6153