Moonlight is arguably one of nature’s most underestimated wonders. From the way it lights up an otherwise unlit sky, to its whimsical bluish-purple shades, moonlight is perhaps the very definition of beauty — and the J.C. Raulston Arboretum agrees. Beginning last Thursday, the arboretum, NC State’s very own public garden and nonprofit organization, kicked off its Moonlight in the Garden series, which allows the public to view the gardens after dark by way of intricately designed lights, local music and golden-brown toasted marshmallows.

Moonlight in the Garden acts as the arboretum’s most popular event all year, bringing the community together in support of the wondrous beauty of nature. Although the event officially started back in the early 2000s, last year was the first time Moonlight in the Garden took over the arboretum in a decade, and it boasted over 3,000 horticulture-loving guests. As a result, this year the event is running for two additional days and will feature over 500 light fixtures, covering more of the garden than ever before. It also offers the public a chance to see the garden after dark, completely changing the aesthetic of the already impressive horticultural hub. Arlene Calhoun, assistant director of the J.C. Raulston Arboretum, spoke of the garden’s community-centered goal.

“We’re a public garden and our community doesn’t know we’re here,” Calhoun said.

“So, we looked for ways we can engage across all age demographics, gardening knowledge demographics and to show the public how important community and green spaces are.”

Just through the arboretum’s main entrance arch lie delicate strings of lights, called fireflies, that hang from trees and freely swing with the wind. The soft look immediately sets the mood upon walking into the fantasy-like world the arboretum emulated. Along the garden’s many pathways rested perfectly-aligned glowing paper bags, lit by the light of a single candle. Upon entering, guests can follow the beautifully lit pathway for a cup of homemade apple cider, kept warm in a tall steaming pot.

This feel-good atmosphere is exactly what Calhoun was hoping for when planning the event, which aimed to open the public’s eyes to a hidden horticultural sanctuary that lies on Beryl Road. The event aimed to bring in a new audience to the garden by showcasing its often-underestimated beauty in fresh, new way.

“The most important thing for me is to get people engaged with all the great things that this garden is offering — to see children, their parents, their grandparents and people coming out as a community and enjoying our garden,” Calhoun said. “It’s dark, it’s a crisp night, everyone’s grabbing hot cider, and everybody is in such good spirits… it’s great just creating an experience where you know they’re going to come back.”

John Garner, founder of local lighting business Southern Lights, acts as the man behind the well-thought-out light design, which was both efficient and breathtaking in nature. Using almost all LED lights, Garner and his team truly crafted a masterpiece for the moonlight-inspired event.

“We have an area that emulates moonlight with a bluish toned light that’s about 40 feet up in the trees, and shines down thru the foliage creating shadow patterns on the ground,” Garner said. “It really does feel like a moonlight evening.”

In addition to the impressively designed lights, Moonlight in the Garden has worked to provide top-notch musical entertainment as well. Each local band was chosen after submitting an original interest form and agreeing to the amount the arboretum had budgeted for the entertainment sector of the multi-week event. From a Johnny Cash cover band to local country grooves, the music remains homey and fit for the occasion. As the music plays in the background, guests can roast marshmallows at one of the many fire pits for a quick treat while warming up from the brisk fall air in the process.

All in all, Moonlight in the Garden is not your average holiday lighting display — an idea Garner reinforces.

“Rather than doing something like a Christmas lighting display, the arboretum wanted to do something with a mission of helping the public be aware of the garden and the horticulture,” Garner said. “So the feel that we wanted to create was something that enhanced the garden, and we wanted it to feel natural and soft — hopefully we’ve accomplished that.”