• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

PHOTO GALLERY: Lights in Bloom


  • By Rachel S. OHara
  • | 5:00 a.m. December 17, 2012
  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • Share
PHOTO GALLERY: Lights in Bloom
People wrote their wishes on different colored ribbons and tied their wishes for the holiday season and the new-year to the “Wishing Tree”, also known as the Bo tree, Saturday, Dec. 15, at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.
People wrote their wishes on different colored ribbons and tied their wishes for the holiday season and the new-year to the “Wishing Tree”, also known as the Bo tree, Saturday, Dec. 15, at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.
People waited in line outside of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens to go and take part in the annual Lights in Bloom event.
People waited in line outside of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens to go and take part in the annual Lights in Bloom event.
A cacti light display.
A cacti light display.
Brody Catanzarite, 4, looks through his “holiday specs” that changed the lights from round into snowflakes.
Brody Catanzarite, 4, looks through his “holiday specs” that changed the lights from round into snowflakes.
A very festive Twelve Days of Christmas tree was on display by Toyland.
A very festive Twelve Days of Christmas tree was on display by Toyland.
John Clark with his daughter, Stephanie Clark.
John Clark with his daughter, Stephanie Clark.
A close-up shot of a bundle of flower shaped lights.
A close-up shot of a bundle of flower shaped lights.
Johanna Studebaker, 11, as a garden fairy.
Johanna Studebaker, 11, as a garden fairy.
Madelyn Davies, 5, with Samantha Knispel, 5, and her brother, Nicholas, 7
Madelyn Davies, 5, with Samantha Knispel, 5, and her brother, Nicholas, 7
Strings of lights created the illusion of multicolored Christmas trees.
Strings of lights created the illusion of multicolored Christmas trees.
Many people visited The Payne Mansion and the bromeliad tree while taking part in the opening night of Lights in Bloom Saturday, Dec. 15, at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.
Many people visited The Payne Mansion and the bromeliad tree while taking part in the opening night of Lights in Bloom Saturday, Dec. 15, at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.
A close-up shot of lights strung together to create an oversized, lit-up flower.
A close-up shot of lights strung together to create an oversized, lit-up flower.
Ella Menke, 7, poses by the lit-up frog and bamboo in her holiday dress.
Ella Menke, 7, poses by the lit-up frog and bamboo in her holiday dress.
The Missing Links performed in the gardens during Lights in Bloom Saturday, Dec. 15, at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.
The Missing Links performed in the gardens during Lights in Bloom Saturday, Dec. 15, at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.
Sofie Bonacuse, 4, with her sisters, Emma, 7, and Austin, 9
Sofie Bonacuse, 4, with her sisters, Emma, 7, and Austin, 9
People walk through the strings of lights hung between trees.
People walk through the strings of lights hung between trees.
Lucie Perales, 5, and her brother Kique, 7, visit with Santa during Lights in Bloom Saturday, Dec. 15, at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.
Lucie Perales, 5, and her brother Kique, 7, visit with Santa during Lights in Bloom Saturday, Dec. 15, at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.
Mindy Rollins stops and let’s her daughter, Eve, 1, look intently at one of the light displays.
Mindy Rollins stops and let’s her daughter, Eve, 1, look intently at one of the light displays.
Annie Shiparski, 10, ties her wish onto one of the baskets hanging from the “wishing tree”, also known as a Bo tree.
Annie Shiparski, 10, ties her wish onto one of the baskets hanging from the “wishing tree”, also known as a Bo tree.
The gardens were filled with garden-themed lighting displays, including larger than-life-sized butterflies, tree frogs, dragonflies and flowers and a brand new snowfall tree.
The gardens were filled with garden-themed lighting displays, including larger than-life-sized butterflies, tree frogs, dragonflies and flowers and a brand new snowfall tree.

 

Latest News

Citrus County woman held in shooting death of Manatee man
  • December 18, 2025
Citrus County woman held in shooting death of Manatee man
Sarasota Police Department personnel monitor Sarasota's network of cameras, license plate readers, gunshot detectors and other devices in the nearly completed Real-Time Operations Center.
  • December 18, 2025
Police foil developing bank scam as it unfolds
In new year, Sarasota parents may have 3 days to excuse absence
  • December 18, 2025
In new year, Sarasota parents may have 3 days to excuse absence
Sarasota County's beaches, which are consistently ranked among the nation's best, offer dramatic sunsets.
  • December 18, 2025
Tourism outlook expects visitors leveling off in 2026

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content

The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in Neighbors

The home at 2834 Browning Street featured countless decorations and animated figures.
  • December 18, 2025
Sarasota homes light up for the holidays
Osprey play an important role in local ecosystems, and they seek out high perches on either designated nesting perches or, as in this case, power poles.
  • December 18, 2025
Ospreys get a home renovation
Emily Chana, 10, rehearses the swinging trapeze.
  • December 17, 2025
Sailor Circus Academy students prepare for 'Winter’s Dream' show
Sixth grader Stella Schechter holds up a finished craft for David Stone.
  • December 16, 2025
Emanu-El students celebrate Hanukkah with Aviva Senior Living residents
Kindergartener Santiago Perez checks out the crochet items.
  • December 16, 2025
Holiday House SRQ now serves a fifth school, but holiday shopping costs rise
Zac Boone, 6, showcases his crystals.
  • December 15, 2025
Children's Entrepreneur Market offers kids business experience

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2025 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now