Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens invites Boothbay Peninsula community members to take part in the annual Gardens Aglow holiday lighting contest. Participants with a home or business visible from a public roadway and located on the Boothbay Peninsula in the towns of Edgecomb, Southport, Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, East Boothbay, Trevett, or West Boothbay Harbor are eligible to win. Displays will be judged in two categories – business and residential. Employees and family members of Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens are not eligible to enter. To participate, complete the registration form by visiting GardensAglow.org and clicking on the “Contest” link. Entries must be received by Nov. 7 to be eligible for judging and must be lit nightly throughout the event.

Displays will be evaluated by a panel of judges from the community, and visitors to the peninsula will also have an opportunity to vote for the “People’s Choice” category on the Gardens’ website. Criteria for judging includes originality, effective use of color, and overall impact when viewed from the nearest public roadway. Residential and business displays are considered separately. First place in both business and residential categories for judges’ choice will receive $700 plus 15 tickets to Gardens Aglow, 2022. People’s Choice winners in both categories will also receive $700 and 15 general admission tickets to the Gardens during the regular season, May-October. Residential and business entries elected as runners up by the judges receive $350 plus 10 tickets to Gardens Aglow. Winners of the Judges’ Choice Award will be announced in downtown Boothbay Harbor the weekend of Dec. 3.

Local residents should also mark their calendars for the upcoming Gardens Aglow Community Night, Nov. 18, 4-9 p.m. This event is a complimentary evening exclusively for year-round Boothbay peninsula residents, including Edgecomb, Southport, Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, East Boothbay, Trevett, and West Boothbay Harbor. Residents simply need to present proof of residence for admission to enjoy this fun event, kicking off the season in the company of friends.

This year, the seasonal celebration returns to its roots as a self-guided walking experience. The new, reimagined design includes 750,000 LED lights woven through 14 acres of central gardens. With over 250 lighted flowers, three dozen lighted animals, and two dozen assorted mushrooms all inspired by Maine’s native species, the Gardens has amplified Maine’s brightest light display. In addition to dramatic lighting, hot chocolate, and grab-and-go snacks, visitors can enjoy browsing thoughtfully curated seasonal wares in Gardenshop.

Gardens Aglow runs Thursdays-Sundays (plus select dates), Nov. 19-Dec. 31, 4-9 p.m. The event is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Tickets are timed for four separate arrivals each night at 4, 5:30, 6:30, and 7:30 p.m. Tickets must be purchased in advance, and visitors are advised to purchase tickets early. Tickets are $18 for adults, $16 for seniors, $10 for children 3-17 (children under 3 are free), and $45/family of four.

For more information, visit GardensAglow.org. To ease the journey to Gardens Aglow, shuttles will run continuously on Saturdays during the event, 3:45-9:15 p.m., from the municipal lot in Boothbay Harbor to Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. While Gardens Aglow is a self-guided walking tour, complimentary wheelchairs and scooters are available on a first come, first served basis, weather permitting.