- September 6, 2024
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Shirley Matthews and Stephen Barnes are new to Longboat Key and excited about the Winter Spectacular in St. Armands Circle. (Photo by Lesley Dwyer)
Nicole, Natalie and Anthony Lamberti take a train ride around St. Armands Circle Park.
The gingerbread bounce house attracting lots of little visitors and their parents.
Anna Gorelova and Chloe Perez enjoy the carousel during a visit from New York.
Craig and Lisa Holliday are happy to be at opening night.
Michael McCullough enjoys the skating rink.
Brittany and William Fletcher snap photos as their kids spin by.
Ava Lerma, Brittany Fletcher, Amaya Lerma, Kennedy Fletcher, Ian Fletcher, William Fletcher and Susan Fletcher
The snow machine blows foam made from baby shampoo.
Christine Wisnieski and Cindy Brzuski waiting on kids in the bounce house.
Cherine, James, Chris and Peyton Hanson are visiting Sarasota for a wedding and waiting their turn for the carousel.
The synthetic ice skating rink draws the older kid crowd.
Kate Guerin having fun in the rink.
Sam, Jadyn, Asa and Steward Wade in front of the gingerbread bounce house.
The Wade family enjoys a ride on the carousel together.
Steve and Marie Schindler are visiting from Greenville, South Carolina.
Javin Babilonia is a little bit smaller than the decorations.
St. Armands Circle looking festive for the holidays.
Cecelia, Melody and Cohen Kroth live in Palma Sola, but were in the area and needed something to do.
Paul and Lisa Giacomozzi pose inside the snow globe with Marian Coffeen and Bob Gauvin
Asa Wade shows off her splits on the ice.
The ice rink was a big draw for kids at the 2022 St. Armands Circle Winter Spectacular.
Photo by Lesley DwyerFans of all things chilly enjoyed Friday night's opening of the six-week Winter Spectacular in St. Armands Circle.
Shirley Matthews and Stephen Barnes are new to Longboat Key from Hawaii and wanted to get in the Christmas spirit, so Matthews arrived wearing an elf sweater dress and light-up glasses. Her outfit summed up the energy of opening night.
Not all the spectacular has to offer was on display yet. The virtual sleigh ride with Santa was still en route, along with the Elfie Selfie station, Letters to Santa mailbox and a “Disney-grade” snow machine that launches 75 feet.
There was still plenty to enjoy. The carousel and a ride-on train were in constant motion. First-time skaters were hitting the synthetic ice rink, and foam filled the air from the temporary snow machine. Not nearly Disney-grade, the bubbly snow caused audible delight in children and adults alike each time it turned on.
For the tourists, the holiday stop was a happy surprise after dinner in the circle. Three generations of Fletchers were visiting from Orlando.
“This is awesome,” Susan Fletcher said, “We were so excited to see this for the grandkids.”
Locals agreed. Melody Kroth had little ones in ballet class and needed something to do with her teenagers. And Sam Wade saw the event on Facebook.
“I thought, what are we going to do Friday night?” Wade said. “They love the carousel. We went on three times."
Most evenings feature live entertainment from local school children and area arts organizations. Movies play on Tuesday nights at 6 p.m. The website includes a complete list of performances.
The Winter Spectacular will be in the circle until Jan. 3 and is a cashless event. It’s easiest to book online at https://www.winteronthecircle.com/ before going, but there are tablets and staff members at the entrance to help with purchases.
