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WILLARD — Guests at the annual Southern Lights premiere party at the Johnson Nursery in Willard marveled in awe as the first tree lighting of the season got underway on Friday, Nov. 15.
A winter wonderland came to life showcasing a stunning display of lights. The crisp night and a beautiful full moon provided the perfect ambiance to welcome the holiday season as joyful attendees explored the gardens.
“Santa is going to be here every night in December that we’re open and in the garden center; this is the first year we’ve done the garden center, and Mrs. Claus will be there. So it’s just fun for the kids and fun for everybody,” said Jill Johnson, owner and manager of the Garden Center at Johnson Nursery, adding that they will soon have a gingerbread house in the garden. “We’re adding a little stuff every time. It’s just been a lot of fun.”
Visitors wandered through trails illuminated by colorful trees and giant ornaments, humming their favorite Christmas songs. Some participated in the Elf Quest scavenger hunt, adding to the festivities.
The event featured breathtaking light displays throughout the venue, along with picturesque food stations. Families enjoyed photo opportunities in the beautiful surroundings, while couples found romantic spots under the moonlight, surrounded by curtains of lights, as they sat by a cozy fire. Children excitedly navigated a whimsical maze of lights while others gathered around fire pits to enjoy hot cocoa and s’mores.
Indoors, guests mingled while enjoying wine selections sourced from Italian vineyards beneath giant tree ornaments that adorned the ceiling. Guests had the chance to purchase fine art from local artists, enjoy food and listen to violin performances by Anna Witzenman and Sofia Lucasik from the Wilmington Youth Symphony Orchestra.
The Johnson Nursery is a non-profit botanical garden spanning over 300 acres of land, providing a beautiful natural space that allows the family to be creative.
“I love to be creative, especially while working in the garden center. [This project] is taking that creativity to another level; it’s a passion, and it’s a lot of fun,” said Johnson.
Jill and David, who hail from Wallace, have been married for 37 years. The couple and their adult children, Annie and Chason, work together at Johnson Nursery to establish the facility as a premier destination for plant and nature enthusiasts.
“David is the mastermind of this. Chason does the outside marketing and Annie does the events. I do the garden center,” said Johnson. “We work really well together and we have a blast.”
Johnson told Duplin Journal that their landscape designer inspired them to pursue this project last year, and it has now become their signature project. “Last year, we rented the lights for the garden display, but this year we decided to buy them. It has been a lot of fun. It’s like solving a little puzzle—putting pieces together and figuring out how to make everything fit. [David] really enjoys it.”
The gardens are open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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