When Magic Christmas in Lights (MCIL) opens on November 28 at Bellingrath Gardens and Home for its 13th season, part of the annual light display will be under water. Located along the Fowl River near Mobile Bay, Bellingrath has added a new scene called The Under Water Garden. Guests will feel they have submerged under water into the Gulf of Mexico as they view several common Gulf inhabitants including jellyfish, squid, fish, crabs, seahorses, starfish, stingrays and sea lettuce.

The Under Water Garden was designed specifically for Bellingrath by Clare Graham, designer and former Disneyland Imagineer, and completely constructed by the Bellingrath staff. Greg Hill and Shawn Smith have built each piece from steel rods that have been cut, bent, welded and painted. Sharon Whatley, Angie Bennett and the rest of the MCIL staff have added multi-colored mini lights to each piece and will also install the display in the Gardens as well. Instillation of MCIL will begin the week after Labor Day. Bellingrath has a CD available that traces the MCIL construction process from drawing to lighting upon request.

This year's display will feature over 3 million twinkling lights, 835 set pieces in 12 major scenes throughout Bellingrath' s 65 acre estate garden.
The major scenes include:
Butterflies in Flight
Over the Rainbow
Peace on Earth
Emerald Forest
Toyland
Candyland
Critter Cove
Flower Walk
Nativity
Lotus Land
T'was the Night Before
Christmas
The Under Water Garden
(New!)
In addition to the spectacular light display, Bellingrath has invited choral groups from around the region to perform during MCIL. All performances will be held on the Bellingrath Home's South Terrace. A full schedule of performances will be available on the Bellingrath website

Like the rest of the Gardens, the Bellingrath Museum Home is decorated in its holiday finery. During MCIL guests may tour the home during the day and throughout the evening until 8:00 pm.

MCIL opens the Friday after Thanksgiving and runs through New Year's Eve. The Gardens are closed on Christmas Day. Normal operating hours of 8:00 am to 5:00 pm are extended until 9:00 pm. Admission is $11 for adults, $6 for children 5 - 12 and children under 5 are free.

Bellingrath's Magnolia Café is open each day from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm for lunch and from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm for dinner. Dinner menus feature local seafood favorites such as fried shrimp and seafood gumbo. Bellingrath's Gift Shop is filled with holiday gift items and decorations for all types of collectors. The gift shop is open daily from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm.

For more information Magic Christmas in Lights or Bellingrath Gardens and Home call 800.247.8420 / 251.973.2217. Located at 1240 Bellingrath Gardens Road Theodore, Alabama 36582 www.bellingrath.org

MAGIC CHRISTMAS IN LIGHTS FACT SHEET

Holiday Light display featuring 3.5 million lights, 605 set pieces in 12 scenes throughout Bellingrath Gardens and Home's 65 acre estate garden.

 

Event opens the Friday after Thanksgiving and closes New Years Eve. It is closed only on December 25th.

Normal operating hours of 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM are extended until 9:00 PM throughout Magic Christmas in Lights.

All set pieces and scenes are designed specifically for Bellingrath Gardens and Home. All set pieces are constructed and installed by Bellingrath's staff.

Every light in the show is replaced each year. Approximately 1/3 of the show is repainted, restored and relamped each year.

The 2008 show will use over 14,000 light strands, 7,700 extension chords; 377,000 replacement bulbs; over 100,000 twist ties and almost 5 miles of steel.

The Bellingrath staff works on the show throughout the year building and lamping set pieces in our own "Santa's Workshop".

California designer and former Disneyland Imagineer, Clare Graham worked with Bellingrath's Director Dr. William E. Barrick to design scenes and set pieces.

Show installation began Labor Day lighting walkways and shrubs throughout the Gardens.

Bellingrath Museum Home is completely decorated for the season. Guests may tour the home during the day and throughout the evening until 8:00 AM.

There is entertainment on the South Terrace by musical groups from the area.

Magnolia Café is open from 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM for lunch and from 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM for dinner. The dinner menu features local seafood favorites such as fried shrimp and seafood gumbo. Snack foods and beverages are available in the Coca Cola Trailer on Live Oak Plaza from 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM.

Bellingrath Gift Shop is open daily from 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM and is filled with holiday gift items and decorations.

Children may have their pictures taken with Santa from 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM on weekends and during the week of Christmas.

Admission: $10 for adults, $5.50 for children ages 5 - 12; free for children 4 and under. Members may use their membership cards for admission.

Hotel packages for Magic Christmas in Lights are available through Mobile's recently opened Battle House Hotel and the Riverview Plaza as well as at The Grand Hotel in Point Clear