• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Sand Bucket List
  • 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
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • 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
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Sand Bucket List
  • 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

Two killed in two crashes two hours apart on I-75
  • July 10, 2026
Two killed in two crashes two hours apart on I-75
CommunityConnect facilitates communications throughout interactions with the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office.
  • July 10, 2026
Sheriff's Office opens messaging platform to enhance communications
The Patio coffee cart once operated in the parking lot at Swim City on North Tamiami Boulevard.
  • July 9, 2026
Coffee cart brews up downtown food truck expansion proposal
Tons of sand were removed from roadways along Sarasota County beaches in the wake of the 2024 hurricanes.
  • July 9, 2026
Sarasota County still awaits $225M in FEMA, state disaster funds

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

This painting by Frank Hopper can be seen in City Hall.
  • July 10, 2026
Sarasota history on display for semiquincentennial
Jing Herman stands amongst prints of her artwork.
  • July 9, 2026
Sarasota artist plans to create series of 50 American flags
Scholarship recipient Julianne Teague celebrates with her mother, Trudy
Teague, at The Exchange’s 2026 Grants and Scholarship Awards event.
  • July 7, 2026
Proceeds from The Exchange sales aid 50 groups, students
Sam and Ileana Galati bring some starfish and star-spangled attire.
  • July 5, 2026
All-American Cookout dazzles with bubbles and food
Eric Ribeiro and his son, Luke Ribeiro, 17; watch the fireworks from the VIP and sponsors area.
  • July 5, 2026
Siesta Key Fourth of July Fireworks celebrates local and national milestones
Frankie Del Rosario of The ProMedia Group, which assisted with the projectors for the display, shows that he's "awesome" at setting off the fireworks.
  • July 4, 2026
Fireworks go virtual in interactive art display at Spirit of '76 block party

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.


Anytime. Anywhere. Observer.

From in-depth local reporting to real-time breaking news, stay connected to the stories shaping our community with the Your Observer app.

Download Now for Free