Historic Spanish Point becomes fairytale land in Enchanted Garden Family Festival

By Ian Swaby
| 11:00 a.m. March 24, 2025

Rachelle Lambert, Solan Jones, 4, and Solan's mother Maia Jaroszewski

Sarasota
Neighbors

It was a busy day at Selby Gardens' Historic Spanish Point campus on March 22, but there were enough unicorns for everyone.

Ellian Rosaire of Rosaire's Riding Academy & Pony Rides said due to the popularity of the event, the company brought along extra ponies, so the ponies could take turns.

Taking place from March 22 to 23 at Selby Gardens Historic Spanish Point campus, the Enchanted Garden Family Festival brings a variety of other activities, creating a magical-themed scene on the campus.

Visitors can experience a bubble show by former America's Got Talent contestant Blaise Ryndes, face painting, crafts, food, confections including cotton candy, and more.

"It's wonderful. I love doing it," Rosaire said. "It's so charming, seeing all the kids in their little outfits, the fairy princesses, and there was even a little king with a sword."

She said it was a chance for the whole family to have a good time.

"We love these kinds of family-oriented events," she said. "People need to get out and do more things with their children, so this is a perfect opportunity."

Zuri Wilkins, 4, Harris King as Mother Nature, and Adara Goita, 4

David Muirhead, dressed as a garden gnome for Selby Gardens, embraces the excitement of the bubble show.

Teigan Oakley, 7, rides a uniorn led by Rosaire's Riding Academy student Talia Balas.

Gemma King, 5, and her sister Grace King, 7, welcome a flurry of bubbles in the bubble show.

Abigail McDonough, 5, rides a unicorn led by Rosaire's Riding Academy student Tulula Schmidt.

Shelley Johnson and her daughter Nora Johnson, 2, come away from Twisted Sugar ConfectionAIRy with cotton candy.

McKenzie Galvan, 8, and her sister Margaret Galvan, 4, enjoy cookies they've decorated.

Noa Seidell, 3, enjoys a chocolate chip cookie.

Tina Eicher of Twisted Sugar ConfectionAIRy makes cotton candy.

Louise Carlin, 4, plays a ribbon-waving game initiated by David Muirhead, the garden gnome.

Matthew Elias, 6, watches as Greg Art folds a balloon.

Rudy Ortega looks as his daughter Christina Ortega, 9, presents a craft.

America's Got Talent star Blaise Ryndes creates giant bubbles.

Zayn Lechtner, 2, Magi Lechtner, 5-month-old Zayne Lechtner and Zac Lechtner

author

Ian Swaby

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.