- September 19, 2024
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Current and former members of the Palm Coast City Council, Sheriff Rick Staly, Rotary District Governor Jeff Michelman and Rotary member Jay Gardner pose with Santa Claus in front of the tree. Photo by Sierra Williams
Santa Claus waves to the crowd next to City Council Member Theresa Carli Pontieri after switching on the Christmas lights. Photo by Sierra Williams
Families swarmed Central Park at Town Center, taking photos under the light of the Christmas tree. Photo by Sierra Williams
Families swarmed Central Park at Town Center, taking photos under the light of the Christmas tree. Photo by Sierra Williams
Christy Butler, a member of the Rotary Club, hands out pamphlets and greets visitors. Photo by Sierra Williams
The City of Palm Coast Parks and Recreation placed craft tables where kids could write Christmas letters to Santa. Photo by Sierra Williams
Families immediately lined up to Santa's Village to ride the train and meet Santa. Photo by Sierra Williams
Over 50 articulated light displays circled the lake at Central Park. Photo by Sierra Williams
Over 50 articulated light displays circled the lake at Central Park. Photo by Sierra Williams
Tatiana Lanov, Yuliia Havryliuk, Alla Beruguta, Valerie Lanov, 3, and Emilia Havryliuk, 4, pose for photos. Photo by Sierra Williams
Sisters Melissa, 18, and Emily, 2, Erdem pose with the caroling light display. Photo by Sierra Williams
Over 50 articulated light displays circled the lake at Central Park. Photo by Sierra Williams
Over 50 articulated light displays circled the lake at Central Park. Photo by Sierra Williams
Bottom left: Macy, 9, and Maverick McGinnis, 3, do crafts at the Tree Lighting Ceremony with their mother, Caitlyn. Photo by Sierra Williams
Over 50 articulated light displays circled the lake at Central Park. Photo by Sierra Williams
Twins Eli and Emma Gottlieb, 3, gaze at the light display. Photo by Sierra Williams
Over 50 articulated light displays circled the lake at Central Park. Photo by Sierra Williams
Athena Ascenso, 4, poses for photos in front of the reindeer light display. Photo by Sierra Williams
Over 50 articulated light displays circled the lake at Central Park. Photo by Sierra Williams
Jaquan Marshall (left) with his puppy River and D.J. Hadden, 10, (second left) stop to pet George, a French Mastiff belonging to Karen Smith (center right) and Suzanne Lavallee (far right). Photo by Sierra Williams
Over 50 articulated light displays circled the lake at Central Park.Photo by Sierra Williams
There were over 50 articulated light displays around Central Park. FCSO sponsored this display. Photo by Sierra Williams
Over 50 articulated light displays circled the lake at Central Park. Photo by Sierra Williams
Over 50 articulated light displays circled the lake at Central Park. Photo by Sierra Williams
Food trucks lined the open field at the park for guests to enjoy. Photo by Sierra Williams
Visitors were able to take a break at the tables available. Photo by Sierra Williams
Palm Coast Vice-Mayor Eddie Branquinho stood in front of the dark Christmas tree in Central Park at Town Center, and called to the kids and families crowded around.
"All right," he said, "you're all going to say, very loud, with me: 'Santa, where are you?'"
The dense crowd of children and families called back, "Santa, where are you?" Like a Christmas miracle, Santa appeared on a sleigh of flashing lights — or, rather, a Palm Coast fire truck.
Santa, it seemed, was delayed by the traffic of Palm Coast residents coming to see the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and the Rotary Club's Fantasy Lights Festival. Once he arrived, Santa and Palm Coast City Council members all gathered around the giant light switch. Moments later, Central Park was alight.
“The Tree Lighting Ceremony and the Fantasy Light Festival have truly become holiday traditions that city employees and residents look forward to every year,” Palm Coast City Manager Denise Bevan said in a press release.
The Nov. 26 ceremony marked Palm Coast's 11th annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and the Rotary Club's 17th annual Fantasy Lights Festival.
Attendees paraded around the pond, touring the animated light displays featuring Christmas carols and winter-themes. The light displays are a self-guided tour around the pond, with a stop available at Santa's Village to meet Saint Nick himself and for kids to take a train ride. Palm Coast Parks and Recreation also had two crafting booths at the entrance for kids.
"We have 50 animated light displays [this year]," Jeanette Loftus said. Loftus was the Rotary Club district governor for the Jacksonvile-Oceanshide district from 2018-2019.
Jared Dawson, recreation specialist for the City of Palm Coast, said the tree lighting ceremony is probably their most photographed event.
"[Tonight] went really well," Dawson said. "It’s about people coming out and having fun and taking pictures.”
Admission to the light festival is free. The lights will be on everyday through Dec. 30 from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. The train ride for kids, Loftus said, will be full time after Dec. 9, and only on the weekends until then.
