All photos in this chapter are © by Joe Konz
The festive holiday Conservatory decorations in the atrium might not have been promoted under the Christmas Crossing name at that point, but I know the Conservatory was doing something special — even if only to decorate with seasonal poinsettias — to mark the holidays as far back as then, if not even longer.
And I remember that the Conservatoy Crossing name was being used when I took my first photos of the event in 2010. I happened to visit that year with other members of a local photography club I belonged to at the time.
And I remember that the Conservatoy Crossing name was being used when I took my first photos of the event in 2010. I happened to visit that year with other members of a local photography club I belonged to at the time.
Conservatory Crossing decorations began in the atrium, which is immediately beyond the main entrance facing Conservatory Drive. This is where the poinsettias, model trains and mini-village are located. The attraction extends into the adjacent tropical plants and rainforest greenhouse, where lighting dims considerably, giving those seasonal lights a more striking allure.
Most of my favorite Conservatory Crossing pictures were from that first visit, which also happened to be the night the Conservatory observed its annual Candlelight Crossing — a one-night observance that the Conservatory uses to launch extended nighttime hours a week or so before Christmas.
Candlelight Crossing treats visitors with sundry yuletide treats and beverages. But the real treat is being able to view the decorations at night, when all the lights — in the atrium and the tropical plant section — present an enhanced atmosphere and experience. Please note that you can click on any photo to see a larger and sharper version.
The photo below provides a nice closeup of the train on tracks surrounding the atrium tree, which you see in full above.
A much more elaborate model train and railroad track system is set up elsewhere in the atrium, and that seemed to attract the most attention, especially from small children. A perspective shot of that track appears in the second photo below, taken during a 2016 visit.
Photos of the track elsewhere in this post feature various layouts from that model train and track system, which involved little towns, landmarks (such as the Fountain Square Brewery) and people, including a still photographer using an old camera on tripod requiring the camera operator to take cover under drapery while taking the photos.
The nighttime photos were taken with care using available light.
CANDLELIGHT CROSSING
The remaining photos below are from the night-time Candlelight Crossing in 2010, and they highlight what the staff does to conjure seasonal joy with the skill of lights, color, decorations, snacks ... and even some live music.
Next up, Chapter 8: Conservatory proper
Previously in the Garfield Park in Pictures series:
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