Longwood Gardens new ‘Light’ show brightens up summer with Festival of Fountains

What’s done in the dark eventually will be brought to “Light” in artist Bruce Munro’s shimmering new show at Longwood Gardens that debuts Thursday evening.

“Light” is a posh exhibit that includes eight installations comprising more than 18,000 glowing lightbulbs across Longwood’s bucolic landscape near Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.

The show is on view Thursday through Sunday evenings until Oct. 30. It’s complemented by live music in the Beer Garden and by Illuminated Fountain Performances on Thursday through Sunday evenings.

Other highlights of “Light” include Munro's installation of 1,000 flamingoes chilling near the Chimes Tower, along with a cluster of 8,960 compact discs in Exhibition Hall, a sculptural work inspired by Longwood’s water gardens, according to press materials.

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If artist Munro’s name sounds familiar, that’s because this is his second show at Longwood in a decade.

“His exhibition was a great success and much loved by our guests in 2012, so we decided to bring him back to mark the 10th anniversary of his first show at Longwood with a new exhibition, featuring works both indoors and out. We are so excited to bring him back,” Longwood spokesperson Patricia Evans told Delaware Online/The News Journal.

Since 2012, Munro has gone on to exhibit his work at gardens across the United States and around the world, Evans added.

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In addition to “Light” is the return of the seasonal Festival of Fountains. Longwood’s three fountains are world-famous and feature over 1,700 jets that spin and dance, spouting water as high as 175 feet.

The Festival of Fountains, which is on view through Sept. 25, is the second most popular attraction at Longwood, right behind its holiday display, Evans said.

The Illuminated Fountain Performances debut Thursday and end Oct. 30.

The evening concerts feature 30 minutes of fountains changing colors while paired to a variety of music from the Beatles to hip-hop.

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The “Light” exhibit and fountain shows are a continuation of the legacy of Longwood founder Pierre S. du Pont., who used his gardens as a setting for the performing arts, education and entertainment.

The garden is the star, but the works by artists in many media are welcomed at Longwood.

“We understand that not everyone may think of themselves as a ‘plant person’ or think that visiting a garden would be of interest,” Evans said.

“But when guests come to Longwood and enjoy live music in our beer garden, take in a concert, or enjoy an illuminated fountain performance in this amazing setting – they’re hooked.”

"Light" is on display at Longwood Gardens (1001 Longwood Road, near Kennett Square, Pennsylvania) at dusk (or 9 p.m.) from Thursdays through Sundays, starting from Thursday, June 30, through Oct. 30. To reserve a ticket or for more info, visit longwoodgardens.org or (610) 388-1000.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: New Longwood Bruce Munro exhibit, Festival of Fountains on tap