LARGO, Fla. — For the first time ever, the Florida Botanical Gardens Foundation has canceled the annual Holiday Lights in the Gardens event.
The event was scheduled from Nov. 27 through Jan. 2, 2021.
The foundation said there are too many unknowns and safety concerns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Over the 38 nights of the lights, it sees almost 100,000 people so it's really a big event and it sees a lot of people. We didn't really want to encourage that kind of gathering with the county ordinances," said Emily Bloxam, Communications Coordinator with The Florida Botanical Gardens Foundation.
The lighting of the Gardens has been a tradition since the Botanical Gardens opened 20 years ago in 2000.
"It would have been our 20th anniversary so we really are so disappointed we had to cancel, but next year we'll just do it bigger and better," said Bloxam.
The event usually generates a significant part of the foundation's annual operating revenue. Bloxam said many smaller events are planned to make up for that loss.
A number of events are planned including the Annual Tour of Public and Private Gardens, Pumpkin Fest and Yoga in the Gardens.
For more on upcoming events visit http://www.flbg.org/annual-events.htm
