Local residents enjoyed a winter wonderland this week at the Gardens Aglow Community Night, a special complimentary evening for residents of the Boothbay peninsula at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay. Besides enjoying good food, good company, and the spectacle of lights, attendees were among the first to hear the results of the annual Gardens Aglow Holiday Lighting Contest.

In early November, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens invited those Boothbay peninsula community members with a home or business visible from a public roadway and located on the Boothbay Peninsula to take part in the lighting contest. Displays were judged in two categories — business and residential. Working from a criteria of originality, effective use of color, and overall impact when viewed from the nearest public roadway, judges selected first, second and third place winners.

Under the business category, Cameron Clan Snack Co. (Food Trucks A-Go) won first place. Second place was secured by the Flagship Inn, and the Boothbay Railway Village won third place. In the residential category, first place went to Cindy Steane, second to Connie Pinkham, and third place to Stephanie Dupal. Congratulations to everyone!

Gardens Aglow is CMBG’s annual festive seasonal celebration. With more than 650,000 LED lights woven through 14 acres of central gardens, the Gardens is taking its dramatic display of brilliant color to new heights. Illuminated trails, dramatic designs, and winter-themed exhibits make the largest light display in Maine not only bigger, but a brighter, more radiant experience. There is something for everyone to experience at Gardens Aglow — in addition to dramatic lighting, enjoy music, snacks, hot chocolate, and holiday shopping in the Gardenshop.

Gardens Aglow runs Nov. 14-Dec. 31 on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings from 4 to 9 p.m. (closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Eve). Tickets are timed for three separate arrivals each night at 4 p.m., 6:30 p.m., and 7:30 p.m. Tickets, $16 for adults, $14 for seniors, $9 for children 3-17 (children under 3 are free) and $41/family of four, are available online. Discounts are available for CMBG members and groups of 10 or more; see www.GardensAglow.org for all pricing options. To ease the journey to Gardens Aglow, shuttle busses will run continuously during the event, beginning at 4 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.

There is nothing quite like Maine in winter, and Gardens Aglow has become a firm tradition in Maine’s seasonal calendar. Together with Boothbay Lights, the Boothbay peninsula is the place to be for wintertime cheer. Experience the Gardens’ explosion of festive color, then dine in one of the many restaurants characteristic to the region and enjoy a wide variety of seasonal activities, including special events and seasonal shopping experiences. For a complete calendar of regional offerings, visit www.boothbaylights.com

Visit online at www.MaineGardens.org