• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Valentine's Day 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
  • Key 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
  • Key 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
  • Valentine's Day 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

Cyclist killed on Siesta Key
  • February 8, 2026
Cyclist killed on Siesta Key
Suncoast Waterkeepers regularly tests water quality at 12 sites in Sarasota Bay and its adjacent waters, including the Linley Street boat ramp on Longboat Key.
  • February 7, 2026
Sarasota, Manatee bayside beaches graded for water safety
Capt. A.J. Grande operates a "six pack" fishing charter business who often picks up and drops off customers at Nora Patterson Park.
  • February 5, 2026
Permits will be required for charter boat operators using county parks
District 2 Commissioner Penny Gold walks in a parade in 2021.
  • February 5, 2026
Longboat commissioner appointed to National League of Cities committee

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

Sarasota nonprofit Casting For The Kids helps children with cancer and their families breathe a little easier.
  • February 6, 2026
Annual fishing tournament casts for a cause
Thomas Modly adjusts the flagpoles as the sun sets.
  • February 5, 2026
Patriots Pier in Siesta Key receives new flagpoles
Jennifer Rominiecki brought the living museum concept to Marie Selby Botanical Gardens when she was named president and CEO in 2015.
  • February 5, 2026
Botanical gardens' potential lured Rominiecki family to Sarasota
Perfectly in sync, Ski-A-Rees skiers Natalie Brannon, Debbie Brannon, Ella Walker and Steph Ouellette skim across Sarasota Bay, blending athleticism and grace.
  • February 5, 2026
From flips to ballet, Ski-A-Rees have done it all on the water since 1957
Sarah Firstenberger was named CEO of the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce in June.
  • February 4, 2026
Siesta Key Chamber’s new leader takes the helm
Chamber launches summertime internship program
  • February 4, 2026
Chamber launches summertime internship program

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 © 2026 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