Stepping Out

Whimsy meets the summer solstice

Old Westbury Gardens celebrates summertime

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The summer solstice is upon us, and it’s embraced at Old Westbury Gardens in weekend of music and dance that reflects the wonder of the season.
A rich and lively celebration that is filled with joy, dubbed “Midsummer Weekend,” this event brings a touch of Northern European summer solstice festival traditions to our area, Friday through Sunday, June 26-28.
Inspired by the summer romps enjoyed by Old Westbury Gardens’ founder Peggie Phipps Boegner and her companions as interpreted from photographs from the Gardens’ archives, combined with elements of traditional European summer solstice celebrations (along with an ode to Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”), the Gardens welcomes the beginning of the new season with its “Midsummer Weekend.”
Visitors to the lush estate will find it transformed a wonderland of sorts as music and dance blend seamlessly with the appealing decorated gardens, already bursting with seasonal color. All ages will enjoy the unique sights and feel of the grounds during this unique spectacle.
The gardens take on entirely different perspective throughout the weekend, especially on Saturday, when they are illuminated by lanterns and candles and become inhabited by magical fairies as the day turns to the twilight of the evening. The vibrant landscape is decorated with wreaths, garlands, and other festive floral arrangements, as Old Westbury Gardens’ horticulture staff puts their unique twist on a summer solstice spectacle combined with some imaginative whimsy.
“This is truly unique on Long Island,” says Vince Kish, Old Westbury Gardens spokesman. “Midsummer Night events are not all that common in the U.S. It’s really a Northern European tradition, but it fits in really well here. In a short time, it’s become a much anticipated and well attended event, especially for families of younger kids.”

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