Published: July 01, 2009 03:05 pm      

Shangri La offers Fourth of July fun

Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center will celebrate Independence Day with free watermelon and a free patriotic concert for the public on the Fourth of July.

Shangri La will observe its normal Saturday operating hours on Independence Day, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., with regular admission to the Gardens and Nature Center ending at 6 p.m. Standard admission rates will apply throughout the day until 6 p.m. for admission to the Gardens and Nature Center of Shangri La.

Visitors who purchase admission to Shangri La prior to 6 p.m. are welcome to remain onsite to enjoy patriotic music, which will be presented by the Orange Community Band beginning at 7 p.m. Those who wish to attend only the patriotic concert will be admitted to the Shangri La Orientation Center area without charge beginning at 6:30 p.m. The musical concert begins at 7 p.m., and visitors are welcome to bring folding lawn chairs.

Throughout the day, guests may enjoy a stroll through the Gardens as well as a boat trip through the cypress/tupelo swamp, which will be offered every hour. The Shangri La staff will serve complimentary watermelon at the Orientation Center from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., while supplies last.

Food and drinks, with the exception of bottled water, are prohibited from being brought onto the grounds of Shangri La. Both the Star and Crescent Moon Café and the Garden Store will be open throughout the day for the dining and shopping convenience of all visitors.

Shangri La is located at 2111 W. Park Ave. in Orange. The Shangri La Visitor Parking area, located across West Park Avenue from Shangri La, will be open and available to Shangri La visitors free of charge. A restricted access parking lot for vehicles with proper handicap designation is located just inside the vehicular entrance gate of Shangri La.

For more information, including admission and tour details, please visit www.shangrilagardens.org or call 409-670-9113.