Sindy Huang/Archive
JC Raulston Arboretum's Great Lawn is lit with fairy lights and fire pits during Moonlight in the Garden on Nov. 10, 2017. Moonlight in the Garden featured live music, food trucks and marshmallows to roast on the fire pits.
NC State has many different sites which visitors from all over the state and beyond can see during their visit to campus. For some, it is the almighty Carter-Finley Stadium, and for others, it’s the magnificently built Talley Student Union. One well-known location that many people visiting NC State should try to stop by during their visit is the JC Raulston Arboretum. During this time of year in particular, the gorgeous gardens of the arboretum open their doors up after dark for a special, limited-time event known as Moonlight in the Garden.
Moonlight in the Garden is a two-weekend long event which highlights the beauty of JC Raulston Arboretum. The event includes a series of lights set up throughout the arboretum and live performances that guests can listen to as they walk around. Food is also available for those attending the event to enjoy.
Allyson Meade, the marketing and communications assistant at the JC Raulston Arboretum and a fourth-year studying business administration, spoke about the event.
“Moonlight in the Garden is our opportunity to open the gates to the public after dark,” Meade said. “The arboretum is expertly lit by Southern Lights of Raleigh, and we bring in food trucks and local bands. This only happens for two weekends in November every year, and this is our third year. Seeing the gardens at night with the wonderful lighting displays is truly magical.”
Attendees of the event are able to do so much more than simply appreciate the beauty of the lights at the arboretum. Mark Weathington, director of JC Raulston Arboretum, spoke more in depth about the event.
“Along with the colorful and festive lighting exhibition, Moonlight in the Garden is a chance to bundle up, welcome the fall season to North Carolina, dine at the best food trucks, enjoy the live music, have some hot cider, and roast marshmallows over the fire pits,” Weathington said. “One of the most rewarding aspects of the exhibition is the attraction of children, students and people of all ages [to the event].”
The first weekend of the event took place last week, from Thursday, Nov. 8 through Saturday, Nov. 10, which, according to Meade, was overall successful.
“The crowd seemed to enjoy all the lights, the bands were delightful, and the hot apple cider and marshmallows were a big hit,” Meade said. “Everyone walked away smiling. After we opened on-site sales on Friday and Saturday night, we enjoyed having an even bigger crowd than expected. People were extremely grateful to have the opportunity available again after we initially sold out of tickets in advance.”
Though the first weekend of the event has already passed, many individuals are still eager to attend the second weekend of the event, which will take place Thursday, Nov. 15 through Saturday, Nov. 17 from 6-9.p.m. During the event, guests will be able to treat themselves to marshmallow roasting, performances from two local bands, hot apple cider and a brand new black light chalk activity for people of all ages to enjoy.
“The energy around the garden is so enchanting at night,” Meade said. “It’s definitely a night you don’t want to miss.”
While the last two nights of the event, Nov. 16 and 17, are sold out, this Thursday evening’s occurrence of Moonlight in the Garden is still open, with tickets being available at the gate of JC Raulston Arboretum. The tickets cost $15 for college students and members of the arboretum, $25 for non-students and non-members and $5 for children under 12.