Dominion GardenFest of Lights

Conservatory Dominion GardenFest of Lights Photo by Garden Volunteer Don Williamson

‘Tis the season! Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights in full swing now. We’ve been sharing photos like crazy on Facebook and Instagram. Have you been by for a visit yet? We’d love to hear what you think about this year’s show (just leave a comment).

My family has three light features they always look for when we visit GardenFest. First up is the light maze. My kids, who are 11 and soon-to-be-15, can run through this thing many times over. It’s a family tradition and they’ve been doing this since they were 3- and  7-years-old. Usually, we have to drag them away from this one. Shh, don’t tell but sometimes, dad runs through the maze too.

Everyone’s favorite — our light maze! Photo by Don Williamson

Next up is the peacock. We make it a family tradition to find this guy wherever he is in the Garden. The peacock is also one of the light features that you’ll see  included year after year because it’s so popular with our guests. You won’t have to look hard for him this year — he’s perched right in the Cochrane Rose Garden just below the Conservatory and looking regal as ever.

Peacock at Dominion GardenFest of Light. photo by Don Williamson

Third up is the lovely unicorn. There’s just something magical about unicorns. The Garden’s unicorn light feature is probably one of the most common photos I see on Instagram.  Everyone wants their picture with the unicorn!  This feature is also my son’s favorite because it symbolizes that  dreams do really come true.

The unicorn! Is that a fairy princess riding on his back? Photo by Don Williamson

Here’s the boy a few years ago dancing with said unicorn. My theory: unicorns are so popular because they symbolize that dreams really do come true.