From Leu Gardens to the history center, there are dragons all around Orlando
Residents and visitors of the City Beautiful should watch their backs and their gold: Dragons are taking over Orlando.
From Leu Gardens to Orange County Regional History Center, these fabled, sometimes fire-breathing creatures are popping up in multiple exhibits taking place at the same time.
Curious knowledge-seekers can visit Orange County Regional History Center to gather historical context and centuries-old tales of mythical creatures. “Giants, Dragons & Unicorns” takes visitors on a journey of air, sea and land that includes mermaids, narwhals and alligators.
“Essentially what the exhibition covers is humankind’s interpretation of what they see or find in nature and how they try to make sense of it — without having the scientific backing of what it is they’re actually experiencing,” said Catherine Duffy, chief curator of the history center.
The traveling exhibit was organized by the American Museum of Natural History in New York but features local tie-ins with Orlando Magic mascot Stuff the Magic Dragon, the Weeki Wachee mermaids and historical accounts of Florida’s own dragon-like creature, the American alligator.
While many of these creatures have been disproven or explained by natural phenomena, such as the Kraken being explained by the giant squid, or manatee bones suggesting the existence of mermaids, other searches are still active. Consider the quest to prove the reality
of the Skunk Ape, Florida’s Sasquatch.
“There are so many people who believe they saw something,” Duffy said. “They’re trying to make sense of what it was that they did see, they’re trying to explain it.”
Within Leu Gardens, the city’s 50-acre botanical oasis, guests of all ages can explore “Dragons: Hidden Treasure Quest,” which takes “seekers” on a journey to read tales and find clues during the exhibit’s run Jan. 17-April 3.
“There’s a lot of things that you have to do — finding the artifacts, reading the little stories, and then looking for the clues that will help you decipher where the hidden treasure is in the garden,” said Tracy Micciche, marketing and special events coordinator at Leu Gardens. “It’s a lot of fun and creativity for guests of all ages.”
In recent years, the gardens have served as home to fairies, dinosaurs and now dragons. These exhibits help to draw in a broad group of visitors who might not typically be interested in botanical gardens.
“We’re really trying to
reach out and get people to see the beauty of the gardens. At the same time, we’re trying to add some fun entertainment value as you come through,” Micciche said. “I think it’s for all ages. If you like to come out and do scavenger hunts, it’s a great place.”
The winged creatures will be stationary for daytime garden visitors but at night, the dragons come alive in a theatrical performance presented by Creative City Project.
“Dragons & Fairies” provides an immersive outdoor production complete with lighting, costumes and animatronics that breathe life into this original story.
“Some conflict has taken place between dragons and fairies historically. There’s a young fairy who says, ‘This doesn’t seem right,’ and wants to reunite these two groups,” said Cole NeSmith, founder and director of Creative City Project. “She meets a young
dragon character along the way, and the two of them embark on this journey to see the kingdom reunited.
This show follows the success of last year’s Alice in Wonderland-inspired “Down the Rabbit Hole” at Mead Botanical Garden and highlights the intersection of technology, theater, art and design.
“We have these nine animatronic dragons that range in size from eight feet tall to more than 20 feet tall and 35 feet long,” NeSmith said. “In the finale of our show, there are two massive dragons surrounded by 2,000 of these fiber optic flowers.”
If you go
“Giants, Dragons & Unicorns: The World of Mythic Creatures” is on display through May 8 at 65 E. Central Blvd. in Orlando. General admission costs $8 for adults, $7 for students, military and seniors (ages 55 and older), and $6 for children ages 5-12. Orange County employees, Florida educators and children ages 4 and younger enter for free. Enjoy a free family
fun day from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Jan. 22 while learning more about alligators through activities and presentations. For more information, call 407-836-8500 or visit thehistorycenter.org. “Dragons: Hidden Treasure Quest” is Jan. 17-April 3 at 1920 N. Forest Ave. in Orlando. The exhibit is included in the cost of admission to Leu Gardens: $15 for adults and $10 for children (ages 4-17) or active military members and veterans. For more information, call 407-2462620 or visit leugardens. org.
“Dragons & Fairies” takes place Jan. 28-March 6 at Leu Gardens. Tickets cost $22 per person on weekdays or $25 per person on weekends and must be purchased in advance. On-site parking costs extra. For more information, visit dragonsorlando.com.
Find me @PConnPie on Twitter and Instagram or send me an email: pconnolly@orlandosentinel.com. For more fun things, follow @fun.things.orlando on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.