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Guests also had the opportunity to view Millcreek MetroParks Winter Celebration: Holidays in the Valley.

By SARAH POULTON

VINDY.COM CORRESPONDENT

YOUNGSTOWN — Though the weather outside was frightful, the smiles at Millcreek MetroParks Fellows Riverside Gardens were delightful.

Visitors young and old were filled with the holiday spirit as they walked around the Gardens for the annual Gardens by Candlelight holiday celebration.

Because of the rain, only the gazebo and Kidstan Pavilion were illuminated. In years past, all the walkways through the garden would have been lit. Keith Kaiser, horticulture director for Millcreek MetroParks, said that had the weather been more agreeable, the garden would have been filled with luminaria.

Kaiser described Gardens by Candlelight as "an evening when we normally light the garden with thousands of luminaria."

But that didn't stop the youngsters from enjoying the evening. Rachel Mowad, 7, of Poland was enjoying her evening in the garden and in the children's activity room.

"I think it's good," Rachel said. "The trees and the ornaments, the stars are good looking."

The children's activity room, titled "Welcome to Downtown Youngstown," was inspired by the book, "Night City," by Monica Wellington, featuring sights and landmarks of the city. All night long, children enjoyed looking at the decorations, playing on the sliding board, and facing off against rivals at the Youngstown Steelhounds table hockey arena.

Older kids got a kick out of the celebration as well. Natalie Smith, 11, of Youngstown said she's been to the gardens before, but this was her first experience with the holiday magic.

"I like all the stuff," Natalie said. "Outside looked nice."

After the walk, visitors were given a warm welcome inside. Downstairs, they enjoyed cocoa, cookies and live entertainment. The Leetonia High School concert band and the Seraphim Chorus, a vocal group, performed holiday music.

Guests also had the opportunity to view Millcreek MetroParks Winter Celebration: Holidays in the Valley. The Winter Celebration is made up of 30 trees that were decorated by area nonprofit organizations and other groups.

"The trees are decorated to help depict who they are and what they do," Kaiser said.

Trees decorated in all their holiday glamour with lights and ornaments included the Western Reserve Ballet, Children's Museum of the Mahoning Valley and WFMJ-TV.

Kaiser said they have been doing this event since 2001, and they usually get about 3,000 visitors. Not as many visited this year, but the holiday cheer was as strong as ever, he said.

"It's a great thing to come to the garden," Kaiser said. "Visit the garden in the evening and enjoy the holiday event."

spoulton@vindy.com

Monday, December 10, 2007