Photo by Dylan Jon Wade Cox, courtesy of Selby Gardens.

Scary movies. Jack-o’-lanterns. Trick-or-treating. Historic Spanish Point? While at first glance, the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens’ campus might not seem to fit in with the typical traditions associated with Halloween, all of that is bound to change starting this Friday night, when Lights at Spooky Point, a Halloween-themed light show opens to the public at the Historic Spanish Point.

The inaugural show, which will be open every night from October 14th through Halloween on the 31st, will feature an eerily lit one-way path through the woods, where guests will happen upon spooky botanical vignettes and Halloween decorations. “We started thinking about it last fall, with our lighting partners Affairs in the Air. We talked with them about how we could put to use our renowned orchid collection in a Halloween environment,” says Jennifer Rominiecki, President and CEO of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. “We have these iconic, spooky orchids that connect to Halloween – Spider Orchids, Ghost Orchids, Dracula Orchids, and Bat Orchids – why not showcase them in a new and exciting way? Additionally, the show will be spooky and full of fun surprises and Halloween characters– really a total experience.”

The idea for Lights at Spooky Point was also inspired by Selby Gardens’ past tradition of their holiday lights show, Lights in Bloom. As the Historic Spanish Point campus is still relatively new to Selby Gardens, it seemed fitting to kickstart a tradition of its own. “Building on the phenomenal success of our holiday lights show, Lights in Bloom, we really felt that the community would enjoy seeing a version of lights for Halloween time and that Historic Spanish Point was the perfect place to do a Halloween light show,” says Rominiecki. “Hopefully this will become a great tradition for the community around Halloween. At a time where it's been so challenging for everyone in our community, an evening under the lights is the perfect way to spend time with your family and forget your troubles.”

Lights at Spooky Point, October 14 - 21, Historic Spanish Point Campus, 401 North Tamiami Trail, Osprey. 941.366.5731.

Photo by Dylan Jon Wade Cox, courtesy of Selby Gardens.