The 2016 Lights in Bloom display is ready for visitors at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota. The display, with nearly a million lights, will run nightly December 16-23 and December 26-30 from 6 to 9 p.m. The lighting was done by Affairs In The Air. Herald-Tribune staff photo / Rachel S. O'Hara

PHOTOS: Lights in Bloom is back and ready to get you into the holiday spirit

Rachel O'Hara |
SEE MORE OF Rachel O'Hara'S ENTRIES

Lights in Bloom at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is always a great way to get into the holiday spirit. There is the Wishing Tree, the beautiful butterflies and dragonflies up in the trees and of course a chance to see Santa Claus. This year they have added “The Wave” and my personal favorite: Flamingo Reindeer. If that doesn’t say Florida Christmas I don’t know what does. Here are a few photos from my shoot last night. If you plan on going (and you should!), visit their Lights in Bloom page.

 

The 2016 Lights in Bloom display is ready for visitors at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota. The display, with nearly a million lights, will run nightly December 16-23 and December 26-30 from 6 to 9 p.m. The lighting was done by Affairs In The Air. Herald-Tribune staff photo / Rachel S. O'Hara

Photos by Rachel S. O’Hara

 

The 2016 Lights in Bloom display is ready for visitors at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota. The display, with nearly a million lights, will run nightly December 16-23 and December 26-30 from 6 to 9 p.m. The lighting was done by Affairs In The Air. Herald-Tribune staff photo / Rachel S. O'Hara

Photos by Rachel S. O’Hara

 

The 2016 Lights in Bloom display is ready for visitors at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota. The display, with nearly a million lights, will run nightly December 16-23 and December 26-30 from 6 to 9 p.m. The lighting was done by Affairs In The Air. Herald-Tribune staff photo / Rachel S. O'Hara

Photos by Rachel S. O’Hara

 

The 2016 Lights in Bloom display is ready for visitors at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota. The display, with nearly a million lights, will run nightly December 16-23 and December 26-30 from 6 to 9 p.m. The lighting was done by Affairs In The Air. Herald-Tribune staff photo / Rachel S. O'Hara

Photos by Rachel S. O’Hara

 

The 2016 Lights in Bloom display is ready for visitors at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota. The display, with nearly a million lights, will run nightly December 16-23 and December 26-30 from 6 to 9 p.m. The lighting was done by Affairs In The Air. Herald-Tribune staff photo / Rachel S. O'Hara

Photos by Rachel S. O’Hara

 

The 2016 Lights in Bloom display is ready for visitors at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota. The display, with nearly a million lights, will run nightly December 16-23 and December 26-30 from 6 to 9 p.m. The lighting was done by Affairs In The Air. Herald-Tribune staff photo / Rachel S. O'Hara

Photos by Rachel S. O’Hara

 

The 2016 Lights in Bloom display is ready for visitors at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota. The display, with nearly a million lights, will run nightly December 16-23 and December 26-30 from 6 to 9 p.m. The lighting was done by Affairs In The Air. Herald-Tribune staff photo / Rachel S. O'Hara

Photos by Rachel S. O’Hara

 

The 2016 Lights in Bloom display is ready for visitors at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota. The display, with nearly a million lights, will run nightly December 16-23 and December 26-30 from 6 to 9 p.m. The lighting was done by Affairs In The Air. Herald-Tribune staff photo / Rachel S. O'Hara

Photos by Rachel S. O’Hara

 

The 2016 Lights in Bloom display is ready for visitors at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota. The display, with nearly a million lights, will run nightly December 16-23 and December 26-30 from 6 to 9 p.m. The lighting was done by Affairs In The Air. Herald-Tribune staff photo / Rachel S. O'Hara

Photos by Rachel S. O’Hara

 

The 2016 Lights in Bloom display is ready for visitors at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota. The display, with nearly a million lights, will run nightly December 16-23 and December 26-30 from 6 to 9 p.m. The lighting was done by Affairs In The Air. Herald-Tribune staff photo / Rachel S. O'Hara

Photos by Rachel S. O’Hara

 

The 2016 Lights in Bloom display is ready for visitors at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota. The display, with nearly a million lights, will run nightly December 16-23 and December 26-30 from 6 to 9 p.m. The lighting was done by Affairs In The Air. Herald-Tribune staff photo / Rachel S. O'Hara

Photos by Rachel S. O’Hara

meet the writer

Avatar

the latest

Dad Blog
Dad Blog: Becoming dad
Derek occasionally gets homework assignments from daycare. It mostly consists of him learning how to trace his own name, and some very simple math problems – simple if you’re way above the age of 4, that it is. But it’s homework nonetheless. And we want Derek to know the importance of school, especially since he’ll … MORE>>
Cheap
10 things you need to know about iRide
10. “Rides are always free,” drivers say. “Tips are always appreciated.” 9. Hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. 8. Call 941-444-2585 for an iRide. (Soon there will be a Gotcha app for smartphones.) There are no set routes; you can hail any of the colorful electric vehicles you see on the street. 7. The downtown service area extends … MORE>>
Dad Blog
DAD BLOG: Derek the Fireman
Derek has decided he wants to be a firefighter when he gets older. Keep in mind he’s 4 and he can’t decide what color pajamas he wants to wear to bed. So that may change. But the good thing is I have used this to our advantage. Derek wants to grow and big to become … MORE>>
Featured
Star Wars Episode 8 Trailer has been released
OMG, OMG, OMG! Fans are finally getting to see the first teaser trailer for the latest Star Wars film. The trailer was officially released at “Star Wars Celebration” in Orlando today. “The Last Jedi” (Episode VIII) will be in theaters on December 15.   The offical poster has also been released.         … MORE>>
Featured
Should you have some beer?
Apparently, today is National Beer Day. April 7th is the celebration of when beer became legal again in the United States after the Cullen-Harrison Act was signed into law by President Franklin Roosevelt on March 23, 1933. Sounds like it may have caught on as National Beer Day in 2009, when Justin Smith of Richmond, … MORE>>
Featured
Sea level rise just got a prime spot on Lido Beach
Thanks to the city of Sarasota, Lido Beach just got a bright new addition: a cerulean marker displaying how high sea levels are projected to rise in the next 100 years. Here’s the thing–the facts are scary. We said it. To name just a few: In less than 15 years, by 2030, sea levels are … MORE>>
Dad Blog
DAD BLOG: Eggs aren’t all they’re cracked up to be
I hate eggs. Hate them. You can scramble them, poach them, make them sunny side up, and then you can go ahead and stuff yourself because I want nothing to do with them. I have a hard time watching people eat eggs. I liked French toast until someone told me it was nothing more than … MORE>>
Art
2017 Best of Ringling
Ringling College of Art + Design will be showcasing the best work in each major, in the annual Best of Ringling. The outstanding student work was selected by a jury of visiting artists and faculty members. The majors include: Advertising Design 
Business of Art and Design Computer Animation Film Fine Arts 
Game Art Graphic Design … MORE>>
Featured
Women’s film festival focuses on female filmmakers and subjects
It’s rare to see eight female filmmakers lined up in a row discussing their short film and documentary work–mostly because it’s rare to see eight women filmmakers together in one room at all. But that’s exactly what we saw Saturday evening at the reception for the 18th annual Through Women’s Eyes Film Festival, highlighting women … MORE>>
Featured
Should you pull an April Fools’ Day prank?
Tomorrow is April Fools’ Day. I’m sure social media will be a minefield of shenanigans. There are some do’s and don’ts to follow. Do: Make your prank harmless. Don’t: Trust anyone. Good luck. MORE>>