Selby Gardens presents 19th annual Lights in Bloom

Lights 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.