- December 22, 2009
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The students from Girls Inc. of Sarasota County stare in awe of the tree.
The crowd waits for the tree to be lit up.
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Board of Trustees Chairwoman Emily Walsh with President and CEO Jennifer Rominiecki, Girls Inc. of Sarasota County Executive Director Angie Stringer and Mischa Kirby.
The students from Girls Inc. of Sarasota County pose in front of the bromeliad tree.
Girls Inc. of Sarasota County Board of Directors President Jennifer Compton, Executive Director Angie Stringer, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Board of Trustees Chairwoman Emily Walsh and her son Ryhs Parry help flip the switch.
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens President and CEO Jennifer Rominiecki addresses guests.
Girls Inc. of Sarasota County provided Christmas carols for the evening.
Jane Paulishak, Gundi Pease, Shirley and Mike Hicks and Mike McLaughlin
Liam Parker enjoys a marshmallow covered in sprinkles.
The bromeliad tree lights up the night.
The menorah was lit to celebrate the third night of Hanukkah.
Sarasota City Commissioners Liz Alpert and Susan Chapman with Jim Barber (center).
Mike and Cynthia Charles
Mike and Juliet Morgan
Snowflakes hanging from the trees hint to what is in store for Lights in Bloom starting Dec. 18.
The switch that controls the lights for the bromeliad tree.
Tom and Katie Cornell with Katherine and Frank Martucci
The bromeliad tree reaches 25 feet into the air.
For 18 years Marie Selby Botanical Gardens has been kicking off the holiday season with the lighting of the 25-foot-tall bromeliad tree.
Tuesday night Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Board of Trustees Chairwoman Emily Walsh had the honors of turning on the lights with the help of Girls Inc. of Sarasota County Executive Director Angie Stringer and Board President Jennifer Compton.
The theme of the 2015 bromeliad tree is ombre with plants and lights creating the pattern that shifts from dark to light. A team of volunteers and members of the horticulture department spent 3 days building the tree.
A crowd of patrons, sponsors and employees from the gardens and Girls Inc. of Sarasota County were invited to enjoy the intimate gathering to witness the tree lit up for the first time this season. In anticipation of the tree lighting guests were treated to a performance by the Girls Inc. choir singing Christmas carols on the pathway in front of The Christy Payne Mansion.
The holiday traditions will continue with the open of Lights In Bloom, a holiday light display throughout the gardens, that starts Friday Dec. 18 with select dates during the month.
