Debi and Mike O'Leary take a look at the tree.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Sarasota
Neighbors
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Crowds filled the street the night of Dec. 6 as the public prepared for the lighting of the Christmas tree at Selby Five Points Park.
It was the second year for the Downtown Improvement District's (DID) new, larger Christmas tree at the location, and the lighting was part of the Fresh Fridays Light Up the Night block party hosted at the location.
JT Grano of NextMark, which hosts the block parties, said the company expected a turnout of about 4,000 to 5,000 people. He also said the community had now come to expect the event.
"It's great because now it's a landmark, it's a community event, and honestly, one of the things that we look forward to is just seeing as many people here as possible," he said.
The evening also featured live music by The Rockefellers, an inflatable Santa sleigh, and bites and drinks from local establishments.
Nick Perrine, Michael Sobotka and Austin Oakes await the tree lighting.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Autumn Tselios of The Rockefellers performs on stage.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Tom Pratt and Steph Abbati get into the holiday spirit.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Sagan Shinn, 8, enjoys the snow.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Lexi Zook, Justin Zook, and Zealand Zook, 1, await the tree lighting.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Sagan Shinn, 8, Charis Hogue, 9, and Isla Shinn, 6, look at the snowflake necklaces given out to attendees.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Nicole Stuzman of Brick's Smoked Meats brought the festive spirit.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Living statue performer Joe Abel (center) poses with Wayne Liese and Levi Liese, 8.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Joshua Fortney, 10, Kelley Fortney and Wyatt Fortney, 10, enjoyed playing in the snow.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Rick and Tina Walters, and Tom and Cindy Bourdon share a table.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Samuel Munroe sits with Blaze in front of the spot where the tree will be lit.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Commissioner Kyle Battie speaks before the lighting of the tree.
Photo by Ian Swaby
The tree has become a fixture of Selby Five Points Park.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Valerie Flores and Julian Flores, 4, watch as the moment of the lighting arrives.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Emilie Campos and Slawek Kaszubowski take a selfie in front of the tree.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Basia Kozak enjoyed spending time in the snow.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Teagan Rose, 4, and her grandmother Jean Anderson, stand by Santa's sleigh.
Photo by Ian Swaby
The tree has become a fixture of Selby Five Points Park.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Taking to the stage for the lighting were Commissioner Kyle Battie and members of the Downtown Improvement District board including Chris Voelker, Vice Chair Wayne Ruben, Harmoni Krusing and Eileen Hampshire.
Photo by Ian Swaby
The tree is now a fixture of Selby Five Points Park.
Ian Swaby is the Sarasota neighbors writer for the Observer. Ian is a Florida State University graduate of Editing, Writing, and Media and previously worked in the publishing industry in the Cayman Islands.
