Thousands of lights brighten up the wooded trails and pathways at VIU’s Milner Gardens & Woodland in Qualicum Beach during Milner Christmas Magic on select nights between Dec. 5 and 21.
November 26, 2014 - 12:30pm
Live holiday music, thousands of dazzling lights, sweet treats, a Teddy Bear cottage and visits with Santa Claus are just a few of the reasons families and community members will enjoy a visit to Vancouver Island University’s (VIU) Milner Gardens & Woodland this December.
“Milner Christmas Magic will put visitors of all ages into the holiday spirit,” says Geoff Ball, Executive Director of Milner Gardens & Woodland. “This is our annual fundraiser to help support programming and enhancements at Milner Gardens & Woodland.”
Guests are invited to dress warmly, bring flashlights and stroll through beautifully lit pathways and trails. Inside the cozy Camellia Tea Room at the historic 1930s era Milner House, volunteers will serve up steaming cups of tea or hot chocolate, as well as desserts and other holiday treats for a fee on a first-come-first-served basis.
Also inside the warmth and comfort of Milner House, children and families will enjoy hearing stories read by volunteers, and live music performed by a variety of local musicians.
Sweets, spiced tea and hot chocolate, chili and hot dogs will also be available at an outdoor refreshment stand. Two gift shops on the premises will allow guests to shop for Christmas gifts, souvenirs, and garden items including fresh Cedar bough wreaths.
Milner Christmas Magic takes place on three consecutive weekends from December 5 to 7, 12 to 14 and 17 to 21 from 5 pm to 8:30 pm. Admission is by donation. Shuttle carts are available at the entrance gate for people with mobility challenges.
Milner Gardens & Woodland is located at 2179 West Island Highway in Qualicum Beach. For more information and complete schedule of year-round activities, go to http://www.viu.ca/milnergardens/events.asp#MCM or call 250.752.6153 or 250.752.8573.
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Schedule of musicians for 2014 Milner Christmas Magic:
Friday, Dec 5 Cantando Chamber Singers
Saturday, Dec 6 EveryBodySings
Sunday, Dec 7 Spare Time
Friday, Dec 12 Serendipity
Saturday, Dec 13 Graffiti Quartet
Sunday, Dec 14 Heart’s Ease
Wednesday,Dec 17 Brigitte Stephanie, Carol Fetherston & Margaret Nelson
Thursday, Dec 18 Maureen O’Hearn
Friday, Dec 19 Fouray Quartet
Saturday, Dec 20 Pat Scrivener
Sunday, Dec 21 McShane family
About Milner Gardens & Woodland
Milner Gardens & Woodland is a 70-acre property in Qualicum Beach, acquired by VIU in 1996. The site is maintained in perpetuity for education and the community’s benefit under the namesake of previous owners Ray and Veronica Milner. Home to a protected old-growth Douglas fir forest, Milner includes an established estate garden featuring native and non-native plants, including more than 400 Rhododendron specimens. Milner’s popular educational program Shoots with Roots teaches children learn about the gardens and woodlands and how to plant, tend and harvest food. Named one of the ten best public gardens in Canada by the Canadian Geographic Travel magazine, Milner Gardens & Woodland is listed as one of the seven wonders of Oceanside/Parksville/Qualicum Beach. Thousands of visitors come to Milner Gardens each year to attend special events and visit the Camelia Teahouse inside the restored 1930s era Milner House.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Janina Stajic, Manager, Vancouver Island University
P:250.740.6288 E: Communications@viu.ca
T: @viunews
Tags: In the Community
