- July 26, 2024
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Community Impact Vice President Kirsten Russell, Oliver Elliott, Keely Ramsdell and Xavier Lawson.
Photo by Dariela DelgadoLisa Wagner and Danny Blanco greet the guests into the garden.
Photo by Dariela DelgadoChet Zoltak and Penny Hill.
Photo by Dariela DelgadoPeter Soderberg and his favorite oldest grandchild Elsa Soderberg.
Photo by Dariela DelgadoMary Butler, Tom Taylor and Margaret Wise
Photo by Dariela DelgadoJess, Arlene and Ali Teigen
Photo by Dariela DelgadoKristie Carter and Maggie Melanson
Photo by Dariela DelgadoShantel Norman and La'Tiara Love
Photo by Dariela DelgadoGloria Kyllonen, Floresita Deleon and Maria Dull.
Photo by Dariela DelgadoMarie Selby Botanical Gardens President and CEO Jennifer Rominiecki greets and welcomes the crowd to Lights in Bloom.
Photo by Dariela DelgadoKirsten Russell introduces Keely Ramsdell and her two sons, Oliver Elliott and Xavier Lawson.
Photo by Dariela DelgadoOliver Elliott, Keely Ramsdell, Kirsten Russell, Xavier Lawson, Jennifer Rominiecki and Linda Carson flip the switch.
Photo by Dariela DelgadoLinda Carson, Jennifer Rominiecki and Marianne McComb
Photo by Dariela DelgadoRyan Helme and Jade Sedacca pose in front of vibrant flamingos.
Photo by Dariela DelgadoSelby Garden presents over 2 million lights within the garden.
Photo by Dariela DelgadoBettianne and Hal Marcus pose in front of the Lights in Bloom billboard.
Photo by Dariela DelgadoEmma Lyons, Lisa and Jeff Silvershein poke their heads through the billboard flowers.
Photo by Dariela DelgadoJoanne and John Foley at the entrance of the caterpillar tunnel.
Photo by Dariela DelgadoTom Frye, Yvette Morgan, Bonnie Frye and Bob Morgan
Photo by Dariela DelgadoDebbie Ugo and Lisa Geer-Yan
Photo by Dariela DelgadoPenny Hill poses next to the historic Selby House façade that's transformed into a festive gingerbread house.
Photo by Dariela DelgadoSelby Garden presents over 2 million lights within the garden.
Photo by Dariela DelgadoNancy Port poses in front of vibrant flowers and flamingos.
Photo by Dariela DelgadoSelby Garden presents over 2 million lights within the garden.
Photo by Dariela DelgadoLights in Bloom returns to Selby Gardens’ Downtown Sarasota campus for its 19th holiday season.
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens presents over 2 million brightly colored lights arranged to illuminate the garden for this holiday season. The preview event was held on Dec. 8.
Guests mingled with drinks and a meal from Michael’s on East before gathering for the ceremonial light switch flip.
“I could not imagine a more beautiful evening to officially flip the switch and kick off this year’s Lights in Bloom Holiday light show,” said Community Impact Vice President Kirsten Russell.
Selby president and CEO Jennifer Rominiecki and Russell invited Keely Ramsdell and her two sons Oliver Elliott, 9, and Xavier Lawson,3, to assist with the switch flip.
“Strengthening families is one of the missions of the Community Foundation that means the most to me,” said Russell.
Keely Ramsdell is a graduate of the Community Foundation’s 2Gen initiative. “The Community Foundation invests in parents as part of their 2Gen initiative. which supports parents through scholarships, stipends and a navigator to guide them through the process,” said Russell.
Ramsdell, Elliott, Lawson, Rominiecki, Russell and ABC7’s Linda Carson came together and officially flipped the switch. The garden illuminated with millions of vibrant lights and the evening ended with the crowd exploring the bedazzled garden.
This exhibit will run from December 10-23, December 26-30 and January 1 and 3-5. For information, visit the Marie Selby Botanical Garden’s website.