China Lights Exhibit Extended Until November 6th at the Boerner Botanical Gardens

By: CBS58 Staff

Posted: Oct 18, 2016 9:46 PM CDT | Updated: Oct 19, 2016 7:18 PM CDT

Due to the overwhelming popularity of the lantern festival at Boerner Botanical Gardens, China Lights will be on display for an additional week. All tickets with the end date of Oct. 30 will be honored through Nov. 6

.China Lights: Boerner Brighter Than Ever celebrates Asian culture and features 40 larger-than-life, brilliantly lit, sculptural lantern displays. In addition to the dramatic displays of color, light, and sound, the festival offers stage performances of folk-culture entertainment, Asian-inspired cuisine, and a bustling marketplace. Hours are 5:30-10 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. Boerner Botanical Gardens is located in Whitnall Park at 9400 Boerner Drive, Hales Corners, WI.

“Turnout on weekends has been amazing!” said Shirley Walczak, Director of Boerner Botanical Gardens. “We’re encouraging patrons to enjoy the displays during the week as well.”

Walczk says acrobats will delight this weekend at the gardens. And they're working of special surprises now that they have an extra weekend.

To avoid the crowds it's suggested you visit during the week.

Also, if you pay regular admission at the gardens during the day, your wristband will get a discount on a ticket for evening admission.

Beyond the Welcome Gate, visitors may find that each display is more magical than the last. During the month of September, 28 artisans from China were on-site creating welded metal frames, lighting the frames from within using various types and colors of LED lights, covering the framework in brightly colored fabric, and hand-painting finishing touches. Among the components emerging from the process were glowing flowers, peacocks, cranes, and pandas. Display sizes are as large as the impressive 200-foot-long dragon.

Each night at about 6:25 p.m., members of the entertainment staff lead a procession through the zodiac display in the Shrub Mall of the Botanical Gardens. The public is invited to join the fun. The Illumination Parade concludes at the main stage in time for the first performance of the night.

A varied menu is offered. Lighter fare includes Asian Cucumber Salad, Vegetable Egg Roll with Sweet and Sour Sauce, and Peking Duck Spring Roll with Plum Dipping Sauce. Entree options, which include an egg roll and rice, are Mongolian Beef, and Sweet and Sour Chicken. For dessert, the menu offers a new twist on the egg roll—Homemade Apple Pie Egg Roll, served with homemade caramel sauce. Grill items will also be available.

China Lights admission tickets are valid any night through the end of the extended 2016 schedule. Admission is $15 for adults (age 18–59) and $10 for seniors (age 60 and up) and children (age 5-17). Children under age 5 will be admitted free. For $30, a patron may purchase a one-visit VIP ticket, which includes a behind-the-scenes tour, optional participation in the Illumination Parade, fabric lantern, and mobile guide. Parking is included with all admission tickets.
Free close-up paved parking is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Some spaces in this area are designated for people with disabilities who have state-issued disabled parking or disabled Veteran parking license plates, or the state-issued disabled parking identification card.

Free close-up paved parking is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Some spaces in this area are designated for people with disabilities who have state-issued disabled parking or disabled Veteran parking license plates, or the state-issued disabled parking identification card.