State Park Hosts 22nd Annual Christmas Celebration

TALLAHASSEE - The Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park will host the 22nd Annual Camellia Christmas this evening from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. complete with caroling, live music, hot cider, a silent auction and Santa and Mrs. Claus. Tonight’s free event is one of the final signature events celebrating the 75th Anniversary of Florida State Parks.

“There is no better way to welcome the holiday season in Tallahassee than with Camellia Christmas,” said DEP Florida State Parks Director Donald Forgione. “Maclay Gardens’ natural beauty and southern charm make Christmas caroling and shopping an extra special experience for this time of year.”

Camellia Christmas has a long history of kicking off the holiday season in Tallahassee. This free event offers an opportunity for guests to get acquainted with the gardens and view the decorated Maclay House before it opens for the blooming season in January.

Visitors will have the opportunity to experience a candlelit stroll through the gardens accompanied by holiday music performed by local artists. There will be several performers including the Indian Head Wind Quintet, The Master’s Men and Thirteen Guys Reverb A Cappella.

The event will also include a silent auction where participants can bid on holiday finery for the home or gifting. Items such as holiday wreaths and retail gift certificates have been donated by local merchants, artists and florists. All proceeds from the auction will benefit the Friends of Maclay Gardens, Inc., the park’s citizen support organization.

Park entrance fees will be waived for participants. Hot apple cider and holiday cookies will be served. Santa and Mrs. Claus will make an appearance late in the evening.

About Florida State Parks
Created in 1935 by the Florida Legislature, Florida State Parks has grown from eight to 160 parks over the last 75 years. Today, the Florida Park Service manages more than 700,000 acres of Florida’s natural environment, including 100 miles of beaches, eight National Historic Landmarks and 39 sites on the National Register of Historic Places. Florida State Parks has been recognized by the National Recreation and Park Association as the nation’s first and only two-time Gold Medal winner for the nation’s best park service. For more information, visit www.floridastateparks.org.