• 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

Work is winding down in the first phase of the Phillippi Creek dredging project.
  • May 19, 2026
Work wraps up on first segment of Phillippi Creek dredging
The oval median at Bay Isles Road will be refreshed in a landscaping project that will uproot the unkempt plants in the median.
  • May 19, 2026
Bay Isles landscaping project begins
Judge Hillary Ellis is a new addition to the Manatee County Court.
  • May 19, 2026
Lakewood Ranch attorney appointed to Manatee County Court
ABC 7 Chief Meteorologist Bob Harrigan speaks at the Longboat Key Disaster Preparedness Seminar organized by the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce Thursday, May 14.
  • May 19, 2026
Panel gives tips to prep for the worst on Longboat Key

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

Kayla Taylor
  • May 15, 2026
Sarasota researcher wins international STEM award
Dan Moriarty, community liaison and board member of the Tree Foundation, and Community Relations Co-Chair Janie Pratt stand on the campus.
  • May 14, 2026
Siesta Key Chapel welcomes community to help in unique forest restoration
  • May 14, 2026
The Moments We Take for Granted—Until They’re Out of Reach
  • May 13, 2026
Monopoly to make special Sarasota County edition
Kananga and Dominic spend time in Kananga's pool.
  • May 13, 2026
Sarasota Jungle Gardens has big hopes for its cohabitating crocodiles
Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce Vice President Ed Hill (left) receives the Florida Association of Chamber Professionals Professional of the Year Award from Noel Martinez of the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce.
  • May 12, 2026
Chamber executive wins top statewide professional award

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