Dazzling drive-thru display highlights Christmas at Everett's Gardens

GAINES CHARTER TOWNSHIP, Mich. -- You will encounter decorative Christmas characters along the road that winds through the tree nursery at Everett's Gardens.

The drive-thru light display in southern Kent County features characters in the form of wooden yard art along the half-mile drive, where you will see many of the traditional festive characters of the holiday season.

The Christmas at Everett’s Gardens event also features fresh-cut trees and hot coffee for sale.

Everett’s Gardens is located at 240 84th St. SE in Gaines Township, east of Division Avenue and across the street from Brewer Park.

Brian Keuning is the operations manager for Everett’s Gardens. He said the event began Nov. 21 and the light display will run through Dec. 28. It is open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The cost to take the approximately 10-minute drive is $5 per vehicle.

The holiday light display is not as elaborate as the one at LMCU Ballpark in Comstock Park.

“We try to keep the reason for the (Christmas) season in our displays ... We are very Christ-centered with all of our displays," Keuning said.

There are many traditional holiday displays.

“We have Snoopy, we have the Grinch, we do have Rudolph (the Red-Nosed Reindeer). But then, we also have a nativity scene, an Advent calendar that, as we go through the season, we’ll flip each day. Then, we do have the Twelve Days of Christmas and (what the song is about),” Keuning said.

You can buy a Christmas tree Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The lowest cost is around $60, with larger trees possibly costing more, depending on the type.

The varieties include the Balsam fir, the Canaan fir, the Douglas fir, and the Fraser fir.

“We do have a lot of different firs to choose from for a cut Christmas tree,” Keuning said.

Jeremiah Jordan of Byron Township brought his two sons, Ethan and Parker, out on a snowy day to Everett’s Gardens.

“We bought trees here the last four years and this is where the boys wanted to come, so here we are,” Jordan said.

The Sunrise Coffee Co. has a mobile truck on site that sells hot coffee to warm up visitors on the days and nights when the Christmas display is on.

Ashley Diemer and Brenna VanSolkema operate the mobile shop, which features various lattes, coffees and mochas, plus teas and lemonade.

“We serve specialty coffee and acai bowls,” VanSolkema said.

Although Sunrise Coffee travels to other locations, Everett’s Gardens is its home base.

“So, once you’re done driving through you can stop by for some s’mores and a cup of coffee,” Keuning said. “And we do have a lot of stuff going on for kids and families, too.”

A little bonfire also will warm you up.

The general business hours Everett’s Gardens are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Besides the Christmas tree, there are wreaths and other greenery available for sale.

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