By Bobby Tanzilo Senior Editor/Writer Published Sep 09, 2020 at 4:29 PM

The Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory – you know, the Domes – are set to reopen to visitors on Sept. 26. They will have shortened hours and advance registration will be required.

Like pretty much everything ese, the Domes closed when the pandemic really hit in March.

When the Domes open, the show dome will be decked out for the annual fall show, which this year is "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." Guests can find clues in the colonial autumn garden to solve the mystery of the Headless Horseman.

Visitors will be limited to 45 guests during each 20-minute window for which reservations are required. However, once you're inside, there is no time limit on your visit. The windows are just a way to stagger entries.

Before you go, register at mitchellparkdomes.com. Registration opens on Sept. 16. No walk-up entries will be allowed for now.

When you get there, you'll be expected to wear a mask, social distance and follow a one-way route through the Domes.

The Domes will be open Wednesdays-Fridays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and Saturdays-Sundays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

The Domes Gift Shop will be open and enlarged using space in the lobby. Virtual classes and events will also commence.

Zilli’s Catering will begin hosting private events at the Domes after the reopening.

"No matter the weather outside, the Domes offer a warm, welcoming space for people to connect to nature, and we have a lot of fans that are excited to explore our great indoors again after a long six-month wait," said Domes Director Doris Maki.

For more information go to mitchellparkdomes.com or call (414) 257-5600.

Bobby Tanzilo Senior Editor/Writer

Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.

He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.

With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.

He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.

In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.

He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.