A winter tradition continues as Dyck Arboretum invites the community to celebrate the beginning of the holiday season and the quiet of winter with Prairie Lights. Formerly the Luminary Walk, Prairie Lights will once again feature a quiet winter walk along sidewalks sparkling with lights. Hot chocolate, s’mores by the campfire, festive displays and musical performances are all included in the price of one ticket.
Prairie Lights will be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on the evenings of Friday, November 25, through Sunday, November 27; and Friday, December 2, through Sunday, December 4.
Tickets are $5 per adult. Admission for children 12 and under is free. Tickets are available online (https://dyckarboretum.org/prairie-lights) or they can be purchased directly at Dyck Arboretum, 177 W Hickory, Hesston, KS 67062. Your ticket purchase and donations support the ongoing work of the arboretum, which seeks to cultivate transformative relationships between people and the land.
This year’s theme, “Welcoming Winter,” will showcase dioramas and performers reflecting cultures that have shaped and continue to contribute to our community – Native American, African American, Mexican American and Germanic/European. Visitors are invited to share in the rich cultural stories and traditions that are part of our local community, traditions that welcome the arrival of winter on the Kansas prairies.
Each evening, storytelling will occur on the south side of the Prairie Pavilion “snow globe” at 6:15, 7 and 7:45 p.m. Musical programming will occur on the west side of the Prairie Pavilion at 6:30 and 7:15 p.m. Performers and storytellers will be inside the pavilion, with music projected outside through speakers. Visitors can watch performances from the covered patio.
Hesston Public Library and Newton Public Library will provide storytelling. The musical line up includes: Ken Rodgers on piano on November 25, Outside the Bachs with Joan Griffing and Les Nicholas on November 26, Wichita War Dancer on November 27, Prairie Bronze Handbell Ensemble on December 2, Azteca Dancers on December 3 and the Bethel College Academy of Performing Arts dancers on December 4.
Holiday gift items from local artists and vendors will be available for purchase in the Visitor and Education Center.
In addition, the local scout troop will serve hot beverages outdoors as a fundraiser and marshmallow roasting will be available at the fire pits. Although no live flame luminaries will line the path, tribute luminaries to memorialize a lost loved one will be available by donation near the Visitor Center.
This and all events at Dyck Arboretum are underwritten by our business partners, including AGCO Corporation; Adrian & Pankratz, Attorneys at Law; Golden Plains Credit Union; Kairos Consulting and Counseling, LLC, and Red Truck Painting.