REGION – This year, the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill (NEBG) is kicking off its season of Night Lights with Diwali Lights.
According to Shiamin Melville, this is the third year that NEBG and India Society of Worcester (ISW) have partnered to hold a Diwali celebration at the garden.
“To me, it’s such a perfect synergy — they do the lights and we do the lights and celebrate together,” she said.
NEBG first connected with the society in 2019 when it was working on its strategic plan. CEO Grace Elton said the garden was reaching out to as many community members as possible to get information on what the garden should be doing in the coming years. The then-President of ISW Ashish Cowlagi participated in a focus group, and ISW continues to hold a seat on the garden’s Community Advisory Committee.
ISW was founded in 1963.
“It was started by, basically, people getting together for Diwali with a potluck dinner,” Melville said.
As Diwali is the festival of lights, Melville said that doing the celebration at NEBG is “perfect.” The event will be held on Nov. 23 and feature Indian food; shopping with vendors selling Indian jewelry, clothes and crafts; henna; and a scavenger hunt to find South Asian plants. This year, dancers will be performing in shifts; plus, the society will be bringing in musical performers.
During past years, the Diwali celebration was held prior to the start of Night Lights.
“This year, because it’s part of the first night, we’ve reached such a wider audience. I’m so happy about that,” said Melville.
This year, the theme of Night Lights is “Color Cascade” and it runs through Jan. 5.
“You will see rainbows all over the garden,” said Elton. “We try to use every color available in LED lights.”
Some fan favorites are returning this year, including the rainbow tunnel that will be located in the vegetable garden.
Every year, staff work to bring themes to each of the gardens. The theme for the Garden of Inspiration focuses on how rainbows occur, and visitors will be able to see waterfalls and ice with pops of rainbow shining through. The Garden of Inspiration has not been opened over the past several years for Night Lights as the paths were not Americans with Disabilities Act accessible.
“We made a commitment to making every part of the display accessible to every visitor who wants to visit,” said Elton.
Over the summer, the garden was able to pave the gravel pathways with concrete, and, as a result, it will be part of the display.
Visitors will also be able to enjoy the outdoor fire pits as well as s’mores kits and 3D glasses. This year will also include an outdoor “glice” skating rink that uses a synthetic product without electricity or water. Visitors will be able to skate during the day or during Night Lights and can bring their own skates or rent them at NEBG.
“I just love seeing the families enjoy the garden,” said Elton. “Our staff put so much work into this exhibit.”
She also hopes that visitors see the plants underneath the lights, as they work to highlight their collection.
“We’re all about connecting people with nature, and I want to make sure that they understand that they’re a part of nature and nature is there — they’re looking at it,” she said.
To reserve your tickets, visit https://nebg.org/nightlights/.
