Friends of Ballard Park will host the 8^th Annual
Illuminated Garden on Thursday, February 21, Friday, February 22 and Saturday, February 23 from 6 to 9pm. The free event features thousands of lights displayed on the trees and unique features of Ballard Park’s three acre quarry meadow. Close to 1,000 people attended last year’s tour.

Local artists, teachers with student groups, scouts and
community organizations are invited to create sculptures or displays for the event. The event is an evening tour so all displays should light up in some manner – solar powered lights, battery operated, electric lights, etc. Power sources will be provided if requested but each display must have needed power cords and be ready to be plugged in. Displays must be able to endure 60 mile an hour winds and gusts of rain. Installation may take place on Wednesday 2/20 or Thursday 2/21. Installation must be completed by 5pm on Thursday 2/21. The event will conclude on Saturday 2/23 at 9pm. Artwork must be removed from Ballard Park by 6pm on Monday, February 25 by the artist or group who installed it.

In past years, children from the Dr. Martin Luther King
Community Center, Boys and Girls Club of Newport County, students from St. Michael’s Country Day School and several artists produced exhibits for the event which ranged from sculptures made of twigs powered by solar lights to a large metal sculpture illuminated with electric lights.

The event, held on three evenings during school vacation
week, is free and open to the public. It provides a fun, family-oriented activity for those who might not be able to leave town and also helps to deter negative park activities.

The deadline to submit entries for consideration in this
year’s event is Friday, February 1, 2013. Those people interested in participating may download a “Call for Entries” form at www.ballardpark.org or call 401.619.3377
for more information.