By By ERIN VER BERKMOES / Niles Daily Star
NILES - Area residents can enjoy nature and the holiday season as Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve presents Lights Before Christmas.
As always, the event features colorful outdoor light displays that are designed and installed by Fernwood's employees and volunteers. Visitors view the Lights by walking along lighted paths that are cleared of snow and accessible to all.
The Chili Buffet will be offered in the Visitors Center on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights from 6 to 8 p.m. The menu includes both beef and vegetarian chili, Mexican and regular cornbread, chips and salsa and beverages. The cost is $8 per person for ages 12 to adult, $6 for children age 5 to 11, and $3 for children under 5.
Saturday, Dec. 3 - Hardwater Biscuit, blues, folk and original music
Sunday, Dec. 4 - Kelly Jones, jazz vocalist
Thursday, Dec. 8 - John Tolhuizen, traditional and contemporary folk music
Friday, Dec. 9 - The Grenadiers, country, folk-pop
Saturday, Dec. 10 - Pay the Piper, Celtic folk music
Sunday, Dec. 11 - Brilliante Strings, traditional folk and holiday music
Thursday, Dec. 15 - John Tolhuizen, traditional and contemporary folk music
Friday, Dec. 16 - Sugarfoot with Jan Brad, traditional folk music
Saturday, Dec. 17 and Sunday Dec. 18 - Whitledge, Wolfe and Story, favorite contemporary folk music
Thursday, Dec. 22 - Wood n' Nickel, bluegrass
Friday, Dec. 23 - Beverly Smith, traditional folk music
Come celebrate the season with Fernwood!