Have you ever visited Foster Botanical Garden at night? If not, the annual Midsummer Night's Gleam is your chance.

This year's event will be held July 21. Some of the garden's majestic trees will be highlighted, and pathways lined with thousands of glowing lanterns, with the help of Troop 242 Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. The dark, quiet curtain will be pushed aside this special night, as the garden comes alive with sounds of music, laughter and fun.

During the early evening hours, children can make their own headbands, play plantrelated games, fish for guppies at the Mini Fishpond, and play at the Pots & Pans.

Older kids and adults can learn to weave a lauhala star, or explore their artistic talents by painting a plant in the garden, with guidance from volunteers of the Friends of the Department of Parks and Recreation.

Walk through the entrance under the black lights to begin your experience in fluorescence, and wander through the surprising Haunted Walkway.

Near the front entrance, there will be a full-size koa canoe, on loan from the Anuenue Canoe Club, and a display of the types of plants that the early Hawaiians brought with them in their canoes (called "canoe plants"). Hokule'a captain Bruce Blankenfeld will give a talk in the evening about navigation by stars. Nappy Napoleon will lead a discussion on the construction of the canoe. And there will be short talks on canoe plants, their uses and how to care for them.

At 9 p.m., the canoe plants will be given away through random drawings.

There will be lots of entertainment. The lineup includes the Satomi Jazz Trio, Mid East Drummers, belly dancers from the Middle East Dance Association of Hawaii, a dragon dance by Yeung Dak, guitarist Shoji Ledward, bagpiper Hardy Spoehr and music by Skylark.

In addition, the Golden Horde will demonstrate medieval fencing and archery, face painting, palm reading and belly-dancing techniques.

If you get hungry, food, drinks, and refreshing watermelon will be sold at the food booths. Or if you prefer, bring your own picnic dinner.

Stroll around the garden and don't forget to stop by the Scented Garden display, Harvest Table, and make a wish at the Wishing Tree.

Parking at the garden is limited, so look for the volunteers to guide you to the designated parking areas nearby.