Marie Selby Botanical Gardens marked another holiday season by turning on millions of vibrant and colorful lights during its Lights in Bloom preview on Dec. 9.
Selby's top donors and supporters joined city officials and others for the annual showcase before the display's grand opening on Dec. 11. Guests picked up drinks and food from Michael's On East before assembling around the event's ceremonial light switch to hear from Selby president and CEO Jennifer Rominiecki and Kirsten Russell, vice president of community impact with the Community Foundation of Sarasota County.
Rominiecki, Russell and ABC7's Linda Carson then flipped the switch together and brought the garden alive with millions of vibrant and blinking lights.
The event ended with guests exploring the new exhibit.
Linda Carson, Kirsten Russell and Jennifer Rominiecki flip the switch.
Ann and Norbert Donelly with Cornelia Matson
Jim Boyle and Marta Riordan
Jennifer Lyon and Jake Sorg
Sharon Saatsoglou and Donna Fisher
Tom Taylor and Margaret Wise
Nancy and Ray Swart
Linda Carson, Steve Sabato and Suzanne Atwell
The switch-flipping ceremony has been a Selby staple for years.
Coleen Schaefer, Michael S
Rebecca Tompkins and Stacey Addamns
Jada Watson and Tiffany Butler
Victoria, Ava and Mayor Erik Arroyo
Hunter Carpenter, Stevie Freeman-Montes, Kirsten Russell and city manager Marlon Brown
Nathan and Brenda Bailey
Elisabeth Waters and Umbreen Khalidi-Majeed
Selby president and CEO Jennifer Rominiecki leads off the program.
Selby president and CEO Jennifer Rominiecki leads off the program.
Kirsten Russell with the Community Foundation addresses the crowd.
Lexie Kozel, Dylan Cher, Ashley Kozel and Gabrielle Kozel
The Lights in Bloom show transforms the gardens with designs made of millions of lights.
The Lights in Bloom show transforms the gardens with designs made of millions of lights.
The Lights in Bloom show transforms the gardens with designs made of millions of lights.
The Lights in Bloom show transforms the gardens with designs made of millions of lights.
The Lights in Bloom show transforms the gardens with designs made of millions of lights.
