McKee Botanical Garden – Events You Won’t Want to Miss

McKee Botanical Garden has an exciting list of events and an amazing new exhibition in store for this coming season that you won’t want to miss!

--> Join the conversation in Vero Beach Foodie and 43,300 very active members right now! <--

 

 

About McKee Botanical Garden

McKee Botanical Garden is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to nurture and enhance a historic garden in a unique tropical setting for the education, enjoyment and enrichment of all.  McKee Botanical Garden is located at 350 US Highway 1 in Vero Beach.

 

McKee Botanical Garden to Offer Free Admission to Active Duty Personnel and Their Families From Memorial Day to Labor Day.

 

To thank the community for their past support, on Saturday, October 7, McKee will offer a special $1 admission from 10 am to 5 pm in honor of Community Appreciation Day.  Bring a friend to the Garden and come see what we are all about!  The last admission ticket is sold at 4 pm.  If you are not already a member of McKee, be sure to stop by our membership table to take advantage of a one-day $10 special off an annual membership.  An annual membership allows unlimited visits to the Garden and attendance to all of our events and exhibitions, discounts on our educational courses and a 10% discount at the Gift and Book Shop.

 

Beginning November 4, 2017 through April 29, 2018, McKee will present a new exhibition, “It’s A Jungle Out There!”  Journey back to the days of McKee Jungle Gardens as 24 beautiful hand-crafted African jungle animals made of recycled metal, created specifically for McKee, are on display throughout the Garden. Lions will peer through the palms, elephants will stroll silently through the underbrush joined by giraffes, a hippo, a zebra and many other jungle dwellers ranging in size from 3’ to 16’.

 

On November 8, at 6:00 pm, McKee will recognize their Gatekeepers of the Garden donors at our annual celebration.  Guests will enjoy dinner and cocktails in the Hall of Giants. This invitation-only event is an opportunity for the Garden to recognize and thank our special donors for their continued support and generosity this past year.

 

The annual Bridge in the Garden event will take place on November 13, beginning at 9 am, and includes duplicate bridge and a luncheon. The cost to participate in this event is $75. This event is open to the public.

 

Make your holiday cards extra special this year by taking advantage of a one-day opportunity to have a family or individual portrait taken at the historic Stone Bridge at McKee by Phil Reid Photography on Saturday, December 2, from 10 am to 3:45 pm.  The cost of $100 includes the sitting fee and 25 holiday cards.  Space is limited.  To schedule an appointment, call Phil Reid Photography at 772-559-5449 or email phil@philreid.com.

 

Enjoy the gifts of nature this holiday season as the Garden is adorned with thousands of brilliant lights and festive holiday decorations throughout the majestic palms and pathways. The Holidays at McKee would not be complete without the traditional visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus and the opportunity to hear and see the vintage Wurlitzer organ and model train display, which are also included in the festivities.  Holidays at McKee will begin on Wednesday, December 20 from 6 – 8 pm with a special night for McKee members only and continuing each evening on December 21-23 for the general public from 6 to 8 pm.   Nights of Lights at McKee will be held on December 28-30 from 6-7:30 pm.  Celebrate the coming year in peace and harmony as you surround yourself with the sights and sounds of nature this season.  General admission rates apply.  The Garden will close at its regular time of 5 pm and will reopen at 6 pm for these special events.

 

It’s a British invasion at McKee during the 9th Annual Motor Car Exhibition as 40 British and European automobiles are on display throughout the Garden on Saturday, February 10, from 10 am to 3 pm.  Car enthusiasts from all over Florida and beyond boast this event as one of the best automobile shows ever!  General admission rates apply.

 

New to the Garden this year!  Calling all gardeners, landscape architects, designers, and fine art and antique collectors…McKee Botanical Garden will host a 3-day Garden & Antique Show and Sale from Friday, March 16, through Sunday, March 18.  This show will feature over 30 antique and art vendors from the Eastern U.S. and an orchid vendor, and will showcase a broad range of exquisite and diverse antique furniture, paintings, outdoor garden benches and fountains, garden accessories, statuary, oriental rugs, estate jewelry, orchids and more, all within the beautiful surroundings and historical structures at McKee.  Hours:  Friday and Saturday 10 am to 5 pm, Sunday 11 am to 4 pm.  General admission rates apply.

 

Children and adults alike will enjoy the HO Model Train Display on Friday, April 13, through Sunday, April 15.  Watch as replicas of long freight trains like the Union Pacific’s Big Boy or the Norfolk and Western’s Y6B roll along tracks through the mountainside, quarries and coal mines. This display is presented by the HO Group, consisting of members from Palm Bay to Stuart.  Hours: Friday, April 13 and Saturday, April 14, 10 am – 4 pm, and Sunday, April 15, Noon to 4 pm.  General admission rates apply.

 

Join us for the 8th Annual Fairy & Pirate Festival on Saturday, April 21 from 10 am to 1 pm.  Imagine a magical and mythical place as the Garden transforms into a pirate and fairy wonderland where  children can go on a treasure hunt, build their own fairy house, enjoy crafts and games, face painting and more!  General admission rates apply. 

 

A paradise for photographers, artists, and horticulturalists…Come enjoy the magnificent and colorful display of the state’s largest collection of waterlilies including 20 new varieties of day and night blooming species, lotus, and Victoria waterlilies and other aquatic plants at the 14th Annual Waterlily Celebration on Saturday, June 16, from 8:30 am to 2 pm.  Plant experts will have repotting demonstrations, sales and will be on hand to answer any questions.  Vintage garden accents will be on sale as well.  Summer admission rates apply.

 

General admission rates (October through April) $12 Adults, $11 Seniors, $8 Children ages 3-12. Summer rates (May through September) $10 Adults, $9 Seniors, $5 Children ages 3-12.  McKee members and children under 3 free.  The last admission ticket is sold at 4 pm.

For more information, please visit www.mckeegarden.org or call 772-794-0601.

 

Nancilee Wydra
Latest posts by Nancilee Wydra (see all)