Nancy Black first visited the State Botanical Garden of Georgia at the University of Georgia more than 20 years ago when she attended an annual Master Gardeners Convention.
Today, she is one of the garden’s most active supporters. She volunteers regularly at the information desk in the Visitor Center and uses her Master Gardener skills to help the horticulture team.
Since 2021, the inaugural year of Winter WonderLights at the State Botanical Garden, she and her husband, Glenn, have given volunteer time and funding to the annual event.
“My husband loves Christmas, and he loves Christmas lights,” Nancy said. “To have (a light show) here, in this area, is so important. Of course, I like it too.”
Individual and corporate sponsors are the heartbeat of the annual show, now in its fourth year. In 2023, the show attracted more than 63,000 visitors from 143 Georgia counties and 44 states.
The net revenue from sponsorships and ticket sales are reinvested in the garden’s conservation and education programs and Winter WonderLights, which allows the garden staff to keep tickets and program costs affordable for families and students.
The Office of the President of the University of Georgia has been the show’s presenting sponsor since the inaugural event in 2021. Title sponsors are Athens Ford and Barron’s Rental Center. Other major sponsors have included Georgia Power and the Friends of the Garden, the State Botanical Garden’s membership support group.
The Georgia Lottery debuts as a Premium Sponsor for 2024. Gretchen Corbin, Georgia Lottery President and CEO, said the educational programs supported by the lottery were a good fit for the lights show, which attracts families from across the state.
“Winter WonderLights offers a unique grassroots opportunity to build brand awareness and connect with large audiences in a festive setting,” Corbin said. “The opportunity provides a great reminder for Georgians to pick up our holiday Scratchers and that every ticket purchased supports Georgia Lottery-funded educational programs.
“Our partnership with the University of Georgia is especially meaningful because of our shared commitment to education in Georgia with 190,446 UGA students benefitting from $3.34 billion in Georgia Lottery-funded HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarship awards since the lottery’s inception in 1993.”
Sponsorship opportunities also include memorials, tributes to family and friends, and a way to share the experience with a group of people who might not otherwise be able to go.
This year, an Atlanta resident with longstanding ties to the garden is funding a Winter WonderLights visit with s’mores, Condor Chocolates’ hot chocolate and a gift from the event for 100 participants in Extra Special People (ESP) and their families. ESP is an Oconee County-based nonprofit organization that serves individuals with disabilities.
Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center sponsors the lights show each year because it draws so many families who are also affiliated with a Piedmont facility, said Tammy Gilland, Piedmont’s director of community relations.
“It’s a great fit for us,” Gilland said. “This event attracts people from all over our service area.”
Gilland said Winter WonderLights visitors have sent her pictures of themselves in front of the Cone Tree Forest and a sign recognizing Piedmont as a sponsor for that exhibit in 2022 and 2023. This year, Piedmont is sponsoring the Visitor Center s’mores station.
“This event brings so much joy to the community,” she said. “It’s just beautiful.”
Winter WonderLights will be open on select nights through Dec. 30. The garden will also offer a special event for the new year, WonderLights Disco Nights, from Jan. 2 to 5, 2025. Disco Nights will allow visitors to experience the light show trail while grooving to disco hits. Ticket prices and entry times will be the same as Winter WonderLights.
For more information about the light show and to purchase tickets, visit wonderlights.uga.edu.
