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Walking by Candlelight

The 21st Annual Luminary Walk

Amid all the cancellations and curtailed list of activities, who isn’t looking for a holiday event that is still on the calendar and designed to be fun, festive and safe?

In its 21st year, Luminary Walk at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens fills the bill. There will be adjustments due to the pandemic, but many features are returning. Attendees will stroll the lit pathways to marvel at the intricate gnome and fairy villages, the serene winter woods by candlelight, and the colorful Children's Garden. There will be complimentary hot apple cider, and local musicians will perform in four different locations along the pathways. Horse-drawn wagon rides through the forest are included with admission. Trees, structures, and bridges are all part of the show, with thousands of lights aglow. To keep Santa safe, he will not be making his annual appearance.

To allow for social distancing, capacity is limited. All paths are one-way, and face coverings are required.

“We are grateful that our sponsors FNBO, Westlake Ace Hardware, and Sarin Energy Solutions wanted to help us make Luminary Walk happen in 2020,” says Irene Parsons, the volunteer who has chaired the event for the last five years. “Luminary Walk is a tradition for thousands of families. We are thrilled we are able to deliver.”

New this year is a special seventh night dubbed “Candlelight Stroll” on Thursday, December 3. “For years, people have asked if there could be a night when the experience would be a quieter, more serene version of Luminary Walk,” said Sonya Wright, Chairperson of the Friends of the Arboretum Advisory Board. “We think Candlelight Stroll is the perfect date night event in 2020.”

Luminary Walk opens on Friday, November 27 and continues Friday nights and Saturday nights only through December 12. Order tickets at opabg.org.

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