Last week, you probably saw the video gone viral about BatKid (aka five year old leukemia patient Miles Scott) in San Francisco. Perhaps you even shed a tear for the humanity that you witnessed in making this young boy’s dream come true of being a superhero for a day. Well, wishes like that do come true for young kids largely because of the efforts of organizations like the Make-A-Wish BC & Yukon foundation.
Last year we were pleased to be able to collaborate with the Make-A-Wish BC & Yukon Foundation to help them build a Winter Wonderland in LEGO Bricks. Thanks to all of you who came, you donated enough money to grant 7 wishes to children who face life threatening illnesses.
This year we’ve been asked to unleash our imaginations and see what we can come up with. We’re taking a little bit of liberty in doing another cityscape but we intend to make it come to life by hosting a Parade of LEGO Wonders down the streets of LEGOville.
To the right, we’ll give you a teaser of what to expect from this display by showing you a partial image of one of our completed floats. I’m sure quite a few of you will recognize this comic character.
The members of the Vancouver LEGO Club are very touched and moved by what the Make-A-Wish BC & Yukon Foundation does for the children and families who find themselves facing a life threatening illness or condition.
I am personally grateful, since my niece when was granted her wish at six years old to go to Disneyworld with her family after she had recovered from her chemo and radiation after being diagnosed with a rare muscle cancer that was located by the brain. She’s a healthy young lady now and she still loves building with LEGO.
We like to see kids smile and it’s even better if you know that you were responsible for making that kid light up a smile. So please remember to take some time out of your busy holiday season to go visit our Parade of LEGO Wonders and to please give generously to the Make-A-Wish BC & Yukon Foundation while you’re visiting at the Van Dusen Gardens Festival of Lights.
2013 Hours & Admission
December 11, 2013 through January 4, 2014, 4:30 to 9 p.m. each evening, except December 25th when the Garden is closed. A magical experience for the whole family with 1.4 million twinkling lights.
For the duration of the Festival, the Garden, Garden Shop and Truffles Café will be open 10am to 3pm. The doors will re-open at 4:30pm for the show for Festival of Lights patrons only.
www.vandusengarden.org or call the Information Line 604-257-8335 press 12.
From November 1, avoid the line-up and purchase advance tickets through Tickets Tonight 604.684.2787 (service charge applies) or in person at the Admissions Desk in the Visitor Centre (no service charge) as of November 1. Tickets make a great stocking stuffer or gift for friends, co-workers or clients.
Available at Tickets Tonight, Admissions Desk or at the gate:
Adult (19-64) | $14.25 |
Senior (65+) | $10.50 |
Youth (13-18) | $10.50 |
Child (3-12) | $7.75 |
Children under age 3 | free |
Family (2 adults + children age 18 and under) | $32.50 |
VanDusen Members | $11.25 |
VanDusen Family Members | $27.25 |
Prices include taxes |
Other highlights while you’re there include:
- Dancing Lights on Livingstone Lake: starting at 4:30 p.m. Two different shows – one show on the half hour and a different one at the top of the hour. Two different shows repeating in sequence throughout the evening.
- Photos with Santa and the backdrop of a million twinkling lights: Dec. 11 – 24
- Svend and Jens, our Scandinavian Christmas Gnomes appear nightly in three performance areas
- Mischievous Grinch and his secret hut
- Shadow puppet performance by the talented duo Mind of a Snail
- Community Choirs on the Performance Stage (Dec. 11 – 20)
- VOC Sweet Soul Gospel Choir on the Performance Stage (Dec. 21)
- The Christmas Revelers on the Performance Stage (Dec. 22 and 23)
- Make-a-Wish Candle Grotto
- Candy Cane Express model train
- Make-A-Wish ‘Room of Joy’ featuring a Parade of Lego Wonders creations by the Vancouver Lego Club (hey, that’s us!)
For those who missed out on seeing our Winter Wonderland display last year, please click on the PHOTOS tab above.
For those of you who missed the BatKid in San Francisco video.