BOOTHBAY (NEWS CENTER Maine) – Whether you like it or not, the holiday season is here, and that means Gardens Aglow are lighting up in Boothbay.
The Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens open the gates this weekend to thousands of guests to see the spectacular display of more than 650,000 lights.
Staff and volunteers have been working around the clock to get the finishing touches on the gardens, even in the rain.
"This is crazy, yes,” Jen Dunlap said. “I definitely prefer sunny warm weather to hang lights but we're on a time schedule here so we do we have to get ready.
Dunlap and dozens of others worked through the pouring rain Tuesday to get the gardens ready for Wednesday’s preview event.
"There's a lot left to do. The rain is not helping us,” spokesperson Kris Folsom said.
This year is the fourth year of Gardens Aglow and the first since the gardens massive expansion project.
The expansion faced fierce opposition from some community members who worried the attraction was getting too big and threatening wetlands.
Folsom said they are focused on moving forward, promoting the Boothbay community and expecting the biggest year yet.
“So far over 15,000 tickets have been sold,” she said. “We know that will have a lot of sold-out nights this year."
Meanwhile, volunteers are down to the wire to make it all happen. The event continues to draw nationwide attention to Midcoast Maine with just a little light.
"It's worth it the gardens completely transform,” Dunlap said.
Gardens Aglow runs through the end of December on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.
Wednesday night's event is CLOSED to the public. The gardens open to the public Thursday night.
You can get more information and purchase tickets at mainegardens.org.