1 00:00:07,760 --> 00:00:11,840 Speaker 1: From WBZ News Radio in Boston. This is New England Weekend. 2 00:00:12,119 --> 00:00:14,720 Speaker 1: Each and every week right here, we come together, we 3 00:00:14,760 --> 00:00:17,160 Speaker 1: talk about all the topics important to you and the 4 00:00:17,160 --> 00:00:19,720 Speaker 1: place where you live. Wepe you had a great Thanksgiving 5 00:00:19,760 --> 00:00:21,960 Speaker 1: with your loved ones. Thanks so much for tuning in. 6 00:00:22,120 --> 00:00:25,080 Speaker 1: I'm Nicole Davis. Now that the days are getting shorter, 7 00:00:25,200 --> 00:00:27,479 Speaker 1: we have that crisp late fall chill in the air. 8 00:00:27,560 --> 00:00:30,600 Speaker 1: Thanksgiving it's done. We turn our minds to Christmas and 9 00:00:30,680 --> 00:00:34,720 Speaker 1: the holidays. This weekend, the Massachusetts Horticultural Society in Wellesley 10 00:00:34,880 --> 00:00:38,280 Speaker 1: is opening up at seventeenth annual Festival of Trees. Each 11 00:00:38,320 --> 00:00:41,120 Speaker 1: one of these trees is thoughtfully decorated and there's so 12 00:00:41,320 --> 00:00:43,080 Speaker 1: much to see as you walk through the garden at 13 00:00:43,120 --> 00:00:46,200 Speaker 1: Elm Bank. Let's talk about the event now. Alison dush 14 00:00:46,280 --> 00:00:49,640 Speaker 1: is the director of Programs and Education at the Society, 15 00:00:49,920 --> 00:00:52,879 Speaker 1: and before we talk about the particulars about the event, Allison, 16 00:00:53,120 --> 00:00:55,560 Speaker 1: let's get some history because as far as I know, 17 00:00:55,680 --> 00:00:57,480 Speaker 1: the Society has been around for some time. 18 00:00:58,120 --> 00:01:01,640 Speaker 2: Oh gosh, yeah, So we were founded in eighteen twenty nine, 19 00:01:02,120 --> 00:01:05,199 Speaker 2: so there has been a lot of things over the years, 20 00:01:06,280 --> 00:01:10,560 Speaker 2: but essentially we were founded for a group of people 21 00:01:10,560 --> 00:01:14,199 Speaker 2: who got together that we're looking to grow things and 22 00:01:14,600 --> 00:01:18,200 Speaker 2: bring new vegetables and fruits and into this area. So 23 00:01:19,040 --> 00:01:21,640 Speaker 2: we're kind of still following that by getting people to 24 00:01:21,640 --> 00:01:25,040 Speaker 2: grow together, and that's something we do out here at 25 00:01:25,040 --> 00:01:25,600 Speaker 2: the garden and. 26 00:01:25,640 --> 00:01:29,000 Speaker 1: Old Bank beautiful. And then of course we're getting into 27 00:01:29,000 --> 00:01:32,080 Speaker 1: the holiday season and with all those gorgeous plants and 28 00:01:32,120 --> 00:01:34,960 Speaker 1: beautiful trees, I mean, why would you not decorate them? 29 00:01:35,000 --> 00:01:36,600 Speaker 1: It seems like the perfect excuse. 30 00:01:37,560 --> 00:01:41,399 Speaker 2: Yeah, so the garden totally transforms into a new I 31 00:01:41,400 --> 00:01:44,040 Speaker 2: would say, a whole new light during Festival Trees, which 32 00:01:44,319 --> 00:01:47,880 Speaker 2: you know during summer we have all of everything's flowering 33 00:01:47,960 --> 00:01:50,520 Speaker 2: and beautiful and there's all these colors, but then we 34 00:01:50,680 --> 00:01:55,880 Speaker 2: completely switch over with the lights and all seventy of 35 00:01:55,920 --> 00:01:58,920 Speaker 2: the trees and the honeywell building that are decorated differently 36 00:01:59,440 --> 00:02:01,640 Speaker 2: with beams and things like that. It kind of makes 37 00:02:01,680 --> 00:02:04,320 Speaker 2: you see us in a very different way, for sure. 38 00:02:04,520 --> 00:02:08,400 Speaker 1: So let's talk really quickly then about when somebody shows 39 00:02:08,480 --> 00:02:11,200 Speaker 1: up during the Festival of Trees, tell me about I 40 00:02:11,240 --> 00:02:14,280 Speaker 1: guess a walk through what they would experience when they're there. 41 00:02:14,520 --> 00:02:17,799 Speaker 2: When people come, we sell our tickets ahead of time, 42 00:02:17,880 --> 00:02:19,720 Speaker 2: so you always want to get your ticket online before 43 00:02:19,760 --> 00:02:22,880 Speaker 2: you show up, but you'll check in with our admissions 44 00:02:22,880 --> 00:02:25,640 Speaker 2: team and you get free hot chocolate that comes with 45 00:02:25,680 --> 00:02:28,520 Speaker 2: your ticket, so you'll get your hot chocolate, and then 46 00:02:28,560 --> 00:02:30,920 Speaker 2: you'll walk through the garden areas. We kind of have 47 00:02:31,040 --> 00:02:34,280 Speaker 2: a pathway that meanders through so you can see all 48 00:02:34,320 --> 00:02:38,560 Speaker 2: of the light displays. But you'll check things out outside 49 00:02:38,600 --> 00:02:42,000 Speaker 2: and then you'll head inside and you'll see our model 50 00:02:42,080 --> 00:02:48,440 Speaker 2: railroad room, which is cutely named Snow Village. It's about 51 00:02:48,639 --> 00:02:52,040 Speaker 2: seven or eight different trains running through the display. You'll 52 00:02:52,080 --> 00:02:56,280 Speaker 2: notice scenes from London, things from Boston, lots of sites 53 00:02:56,320 --> 00:02:58,960 Speaker 2: and sounds in that area. And then you'll make your 54 00:02:59,000 --> 00:03:02,720 Speaker 2: way back outside and over to our Honeywell building, which 55 00:03:02,840 --> 00:03:06,560 Speaker 2: is full of the artificial trees that are all decked 56 00:03:06,560 --> 00:03:08,920 Speaker 2: out for this season. We actually raffle those off so 57 00:03:08,960 --> 00:03:10,919 Speaker 2: you can purchase raffle tickets, so if you see one 58 00:03:10,960 --> 00:03:13,120 Speaker 2: that you love, you can drop your ticket in and 59 00:03:13,160 --> 00:03:15,160 Speaker 2: fingers crossed, it gets pulled and you get a ticket 60 00:03:15,200 --> 00:03:18,000 Speaker 2: home at the end of the show. And it's not 61 00:03:18,160 --> 00:03:24,359 Speaker 2: just like bobbles and ornaments. There's different things like seeds 62 00:03:24,800 --> 00:03:30,919 Speaker 2: and gifts and different gift cards and books, so lots 63 00:03:30,919 --> 00:03:33,280 Speaker 2: of fun things that you don't always think of when 64 00:03:33,320 --> 00:03:37,240 Speaker 2: you're thinking a decorated holiday tree. Yeah, and then as 65 00:03:37,280 --> 00:03:39,880 Speaker 2: you wrap up your visit, you get a Smores packet 66 00:03:39,920 --> 00:03:42,400 Speaker 2: with your ticket too, so you're going to head outside 67 00:03:42,440 --> 00:03:45,040 Speaker 2: and roastmores by the fire pits and kind of wrap 68 00:03:45,120 --> 00:03:45,800 Speaker 2: up your night there. 69 00:03:45,920 --> 00:03:49,040 Speaker 1: Oh my gosh, this sounds amazing, and I'd imagine that 70 00:03:49,680 --> 00:03:52,240 Speaker 1: it takes a couple hours to get through all of that, 71 00:03:52,360 --> 00:03:56,080 Speaker 1: but it's totally family friendly and you can really dedicate 72 00:03:56,120 --> 00:03:58,160 Speaker 1: a whole afternoon to just enjoying yourself. 73 00:03:58,440 --> 00:04:01,880 Speaker 2: Oh definitely, Yeah, definitely family friend really all ages. We 74 00:04:01,920 --> 00:04:04,560 Speaker 2: have people young and old who come back every year 75 00:04:04,600 --> 00:04:08,040 Speaker 2: because it's kind of became a tradition for them, but 76 00:04:08,120 --> 00:04:10,360 Speaker 2: it just continues to grow each year, so there's always 77 00:04:10,360 --> 00:04:16,040 Speaker 2: something different when you're here. But always we tell everybody 78 00:04:16,080 --> 00:04:18,560 Speaker 2: if you're coming, expect a couple I would say an hour, 79 00:04:18,800 --> 00:04:21,520 Speaker 2: probably two to three hours to be on site and 80 00:04:21,640 --> 00:04:22,400 Speaker 2: just make a day of it. 81 00:04:22,760 --> 00:04:25,200 Speaker 1: Yeah, And of course the sun setting so early this 82 00:04:25,279 --> 00:04:27,240 Speaker 1: time of year, you can if you come later in 83 00:04:27,279 --> 00:04:29,040 Speaker 1: the afternoon, then you get the lights as well. 84 00:04:29,320 --> 00:04:31,360 Speaker 2: Definitely, yep, lights are on through the whole thing, but 85 00:04:31,440 --> 00:04:33,159 Speaker 2: they of course they look better when it's darker. 86 00:04:33,279 --> 00:04:36,320 Speaker 1: Of course, now it probably requires a lot of people 87 00:04:36,360 --> 00:04:39,480 Speaker 1: to be at the society to make all this happen. 88 00:04:39,600 --> 00:04:42,240 Speaker 1: Do you run with volunteers? Are you looking for help 89 00:04:42,279 --> 00:04:43,160 Speaker 1: at this point? 90 00:04:43,279 --> 00:04:45,760 Speaker 2: Yeah, So we have our stap on site and we 91 00:04:45,800 --> 00:04:49,080 Speaker 2: do have a really great core of volunteers. We are 92 00:04:49,160 --> 00:04:51,640 Speaker 2: taking seasonal volunteers. If you want to help with the show, 93 00:04:51,720 --> 00:04:53,240 Speaker 2: there's a sign up on our website and you can 94 00:04:53,279 --> 00:04:55,560 Speaker 2: get in our system and you'll see everything available. But 95 00:04:55,760 --> 00:04:58,120 Speaker 2: it definitely takes about we need to fill about three 96 00:04:58,200 --> 00:05:00,680 Speaker 2: hundred volunteer positions throughout the hire show. 97 00:05:00,800 --> 00:05:03,880 Speaker 1: So you talk about the smores and you've got the 98 00:05:03,920 --> 00:05:07,719 Speaker 1: hot Coco, but is there another are there other food 99 00:05:07,760 --> 00:05:09,880 Speaker 1: and drink options for people there or is that what 100 00:05:09,960 --> 00:05:10,400 Speaker 1: you've got? 101 00:05:10,720 --> 00:05:13,279 Speaker 2: Yep. So we have food trucks that come in throughout 102 00:05:13,320 --> 00:05:15,400 Speaker 2: the show and they change different days. We always say 103 00:05:15,400 --> 00:05:18,720 Speaker 2: to check our Instagram page or on our website to 104 00:05:18,760 --> 00:05:20,240 Speaker 2: see who's going to be there that day. Or you 105 00:05:20,240 --> 00:05:21,720 Speaker 2: can always give us a call too and we can 106 00:05:21,760 --> 00:05:22,920 Speaker 2: let you know who's on the schedule. 107 00:05:23,120 --> 00:05:25,680 Speaker 1: Okay, great, Now, when it comes to getting those tickets again, 108 00:05:25,760 --> 00:05:28,320 Speaker 1: getting them in advance is important, but you've got off 109 00:05:28,400 --> 00:05:31,720 Speaker 1: peak and peak tickets, so that's a difference there as well. 110 00:05:31,800 --> 00:05:34,920 Speaker 2: Yep, yep. So there's different prices depending on when you're 111 00:05:34,960 --> 00:05:37,400 Speaker 2: looking to come, and then as well if you are 112 00:05:37,520 --> 00:05:41,160 Speaker 2: an MHS member or not. But always grab your tickets online. 113 00:05:41,200 --> 00:05:44,080 Speaker 2: We do sell out for different times, so getting them 114 00:05:44,120 --> 00:05:48,039 Speaker 2: ahead of time is key, and then you're able to 115 00:05:48,880 --> 00:05:50,520 Speaker 2: just check in by giving us your name. There's no 116 00:05:50,560 --> 00:05:52,640 Speaker 2: need to print tickets or anything, so it makes it 117 00:05:52,640 --> 00:05:54,200 Speaker 2: a seamless experience when you arrive. 118 00:05:54,480 --> 00:05:56,880 Speaker 1: Yeah, and if you can't get there before Christmas, you've 119 00:05:56,880 --> 00:05:59,840 Speaker 1: got a couple days afterwards too, so don't stress out 120 00:06:00,080 --> 00:06:01,479 Speaker 1: you can't get in earlier than that. 121 00:06:01,920 --> 00:06:05,320 Speaker 2: Oh yeah, definitely. I think after the holiday happens, it's 122 00:06:05,760 --> 00:06:07,800 Speaker 2: more fun anyways, because you're a little more relaxed and 123 00:06:08,600 --> 00:06:11,600 Speaker 2: you've got some extra time and everybody's on vacation. So 124 00:06:12,560 --> 00:06:14,680 Speaker 2: I would say that's kind of like the sweet spot 125 00:06:14,760 --> 00:06:15,039 Speaker 2: to come. 126 00:06:15,320 --> 00:06:17,200 Speaker 1: So if people want to get their tickets, if they 127 00:06:17,240 --> 00:06:19,520 Speaker 1: want to find out more about the event, they want 128 00:06:19,560 --> 00:06:21,840 Speaker 1: to learn more about the society, how can they connect 129 00:06:21,880 --> 00:06:22,080 Speaker 1: with you. 130 00:06:22,400 --> 00:06:26,200 Speaker 2: Yeah, so we're online at masshort dot org. Short and 131 00:06:26,200 --> 00:06:29,800 Speaker 2: sweet tickets, right on our front page. There you'll see 132 00:06:29,839 --> 00:06:32,320 Speaker 2: our bar for grabbing tickets. If you need any help, 133 00:06:32,320 --> 00:06:33,960 Speaker 2: give us a call. We can help that help you 134 00:06:34,000 --> 00:06:36,799 Speaker 2: there too. Also, if you follow us on social media, 135 00:06:37,360 --> 00:06:41,279 Speaker 2: our handles for Facebook and Instagram exact same as a website, 136 00:06:41,279 --> 00:06:42,520 Speaker 2: so it's an easy one to remember. 137 00:06:42,920 --> 00:06:45,599 Speaker 1: Thank you so much, Allison. This is looking like a 138 00:06:45,640 --> 00:06:49,080 Speaker 1: beautiful event. It is every year, and all the best 139 00:06:49,160 --> 00:06:50,919 Speaker 1: as we go through the festive season. 140 00:06:51,200 --> 00:06:54,120 Speaker 2: Thanks for gearing up. We're ready, but it's going to 141 00:06:54,200 --> 00:06:56,400 Speaker 2: hit hard and that's always fun when it starts. 142 00:06:57,080 --> 00:06:59,480 Speaker 1: Have a safe and healthy weekend. Join us again next 143 00:06:59,520 --> 00:07:02,640 Speaker 1: week for another edition of the show. I'm Nicole Davis 144 00:07:02,680 --> 00:07:05,520 Speaker 1: from WBZ News Radio on iHeartRadio.