Swashbucklers and Spell Casters: McKee Garden’s Pirate & Fairy Festival
- Vero Minute
- May 27
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 4
This past weekend, McKee Botanical Garden in Vero Beach delighted families with its 8th Annual Pirate & Fairy Celebration, where children dressed as fairies and pirates enjoyed treasure hunts, crafts, fairy house building, and face painting amid the garden’s lush tropical landscape. The event combined imaginative fun with the rich history of one of Florida’s oldest botanical treasures.
Founded in 1929 as McKee Jungle Gardens by Arthur G. McKee and Waldo E. Sexton, the garden transformed a wild tropical hammock into a premier attraction known for its exotic plants and iconic giant waterlilies. After closing in 1976, community efforts preserved and restored 18 acres, reopening in 2001 as McKee Botanical Garden—a Florida Heritage Landmark that continues to delight visitors.
Guiding McKee into a new era is Executive Director Rochelle Ibañez-Wolberg, who joined the garden in early 2024. Wolberg brings an impressive background in public garden management and education, having previously led Mounts Botanical Garden in Palm Beach County to national acclaim through innovative programming and community engagement. The Vero Beach community is truly fortunate to have such a visionary and dedicated leader at the helm, ensuring McKee’s legacy continues to flourish for generations to come.
Looking ahead, mark your calendars for McKee’s 20th Annual Waterlily Celebration on Saturday, June 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. This much-anticipated event will showcase over 80 varieties of stunning waterlilies, including 48 varieties certified as Collections of Excellence by the International Waterlily and Water Gardening Society—an honor held by only eight gardens worldwide. Visitors can enjoy waterlily repotting demonstrations, specialty vendors, plein air artists, and the rare sight of night-blooming and day-blooming waterlilies together. Educational talks will highlight the ecological importance of these aquatic plants.
A highlight of the celebration is the 20th Annual Waterlily Photo Contest, open to photographers of all ages. Entries of waterlily or lotus photos taken at McKee in 2024 or 2025 can be submitted from June 3 to June 12 at McKee’s Administrative Office. Categories include Color, Black and White, Manipulated, and a Youth division for photographers 17 and under. All entries will be displayed in the historic Hall of Giants during the celebration, with judging on June 13.
Become a Member and Enjoy Exceptional Value
Membership at McKee Botanical Garden offers outstanding value starting at just $60 for an individual membership. This includes free year-round admission for one adult, with higher levels available for families and households. Members enjoy unlimited visits without paying admission, discounts on special events and workshops, exclusive invitations to members-only programs, and savings at the Garden Gift Shop and Café. Membership also grants special admission privileges at over 330 gardens across North America through reciprocal programs. With such benefits, membership quickly pays for itself and supports the ongoing preservation and enrichment of this historic garden.
For more information on membership, events, and the photo contest, visit McKeeGarden.org or call 772-794-0601.
