Friends of Ballard Park will host its 7th Annual Illuminated Garden presented by Ballard Exploration Company, Inc. on Friday, Feb. 24th and Saturday, Feb. 25th from 6 to 9 p.m.

The free event features thousands of lights displayed on the trees and unique features of Ballard Park’s three acre quarry meadow which include a one acre vernal pond, groves of trees and a thirty foot rock wall. Professional tree climbers, staff from Friends of Ballard Park, volunteers, area students and artists create the illuminated exhibits for the event. Participating schools and organizations include St. Michael’s Country Day School, Cluny School, the Boys & Girls Club of Newport, Thompson Middle School art students, Newport COZE and Synergy Youth Group.

Event goers are advised to wear appropriate shoes or boots as the trail may be dark, muddy and uneven in places. Ballard Park is located at the intersection of Hazard & Wickham Roads in Newport. The event may be accessed through the Hazard Road entrance. Co-sponsors for the event include Bartlett Tree Experts, Stagecraft Sound & Lighting, Senator M. Teresa Paiva Weed, TJ Brown Landscape Contractors, Pour Judgment Bar & Grill, CAT Entertainment Services and the Law Offices of Joseph J. Nicholson.

For more information on the event visit www.ballardpark.org or call 619.3377.