Wander MN: Making Spirits Bright At The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is, as usual for this time of year, decorated to the hilt. The annual event, called Making Spirits Bright, is—as always—a delight to visit.
One of each year's highlights is the towering poinsettia tree, brilliant red and a stately centerpiece for the smaller trees, snowflakes, and other décor.
Some of that décor comes in the form of handmade gingergread houses, provided by volunteers and adding a great deal of whimsy and joy to the display.
There are all kinds of construction involved: gingerbread walls with candy sprinkles for a walkway to a skating pond…
Candy stones and gingerbread trees...
A log cabin made of pretzels...
A vine-hugged cottage with an outdoor fire pit and, ahem, plenty of adult beverages to enjoy around it...
There's even a gingerbread version of the Arboretum's historic Berens Cabin.
Decorations outdoors are fewer, but just as festive.
And sometimes, Mother Nature gives all the decoration one could ask for.
This weekend, Dec. 12-13, the Arboretum will have live music on both Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday, the Minnetonka Chamber Choir will perform at 11 a.m. and noon, and the annual Messiah Sing-Along will begin at 2 p.m. On Sunday, Jazz on the Prairie will perform at 1 p.m.
What else is happening in our state? Be sure to check out the 10 p.m. Sunday night WCCO newscasts, where you can learn more in the weekly segment, Finding Minnesota.