Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden Debuts The 12 Days of Christmas Exhibition on November 16

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Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden

Oct 23, 2014, 07:00 ET

DALLAS, Oct. 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden announces the opening of a new $2 million exhibition entitled The 12 Days of Christmas. Unique in the world, the exhibit will open on the garden grounds on November 16 and run through January 4, 2015. Tickets are selling fast with some nights almost selling out. Guests are encouraged to purchase tickets now for nighttime viewing of this magnificent holiday exhibit that will be Dallas' newest holiday tradition.

The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden announces the opening of a new $2 million exhibition entitled The 12 Days of Christmas set to open on Nov. 16, 2014.

Dramatically designed 25-foot-tall gazebos have been made for each day of the popular carol and include either life-size Victorian-costumed mannequins or whimsical animals, with music accompanying each gazebo. Some exhibits have mechanical animation that brings the story to life, such as watching nine ladies swirling and dancing in one gazebo or finding 10 Lords-a-Leaping through the air in another. Each gazebo is encased in glass to both protect it from the elements and to lend an almost "music box" quality to the exhibition.

Kirk Wiginton, President & CEO, Amegy Bank of Texas, Dallas Region, said, "Amegy Bank of Texas is honored to present The 12 Days of Christmas, Dallas' newest tradition at the Dallas Arboretum. Not only will it benefit our community both culturally and economically, but it will become a new holiday exhibit that will attract even more visitors to this beautiful garden."

Building upon the audience appeal of the Chihuly installation, which the Dallas Arboretum showcased three years ago, and the infrastructure of outdoor lighting that was created in the garden for it, the Garden has conceived and commissioned this gift to the city with support from Amegy Bank of Texas and some of the garden's major donors.

Brian Shivers, Dallas Arboretum chairman of the board, said, "Two years in the making, the idea originated with a board member's wife who knew the garden wanted a holiday exhibit for families that could be beautiful and dramatic by day and sparkling when lit at night."

Reservation dates may be selected at any time after purchase but will be subject to availability. Individual evening tickets include parking, and more information can be found at http://www.dallasarboretum.org.

In addition to the exhibit, guests are invited during the day to visit the DeGolyer House, which will be decorated top to bottom with a collection of Byers' Choice Ltd. Christmas Caroler figurines that were collected throughout the world. They are treasured for their simple beauty and on display as they carry out the Victorian theme present in the Garden. This significant private collection was generously shared for display by Kim and John Semyan.

Other holiday festivities include a Holiday Tea and weekend activities with Santa and a live reindeer.

The 12 Days of Christmas Presenting Sponsor is Amegy Bank of Texas, and its Supporting Sponsor is the Dallas Tourism Public Improvement District.

The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is located on the southeastern shore of White Rock Lake at 8525 Garland Road, Dallas, Texas 75218 and open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is also the home of the internationally acclaimed Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden. The Dallas Morning News is the principal partner of the Dallas Arboretum. It is supported, in part, by funds from the Dallas Park and Recreation Department. WFAA is also an official media sponsor.

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