Fantasy Lights featured in Central Park in Palm Coast’s Town Center

A new arch of holiday lights will greet visitors as they stroll through Central Park in Town Center during the month of December.

By Anastasia Pagello
| 9:30 a.m. November 16, 2015

The Butler family chose to display an angel tossing stars from heaven to dedicate to the memory of their daughter Tiffany, who was the inspiration behind the Fantasy Lights display. Courtesy Photos

Chairman of Fantasy Lights Committee Bill Butler started the Fantasy Light Show in Central Park in Town Center in the memory of his daughter Tiffany.

This year 40 light displays will be featured around the lake in Central Park.

The displays are sponsored by the Rotary Club of Flagler County and the money raised goes to local and international charities.

The lights will be put on every night throughout December, starting on Monday, Nov. 30.

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The Fantasy Lights Inspiration

The inspiration for the annual light show sprung from Chairman of Fantasy Lights Committee Bill Butler’s daughter Tiffany Butler. On a vacation over fifteen years ago, while the family was visiting their hometown in Evansville, Indiana, the family took a drive through a light display. Tiffany, being only 10-years-old at the time, was fascinated by the animated displays. She asked her father if he could arrange a similar display in Palm Coast.

Only a few years later, in 2002, Tiffany died of a heart condition. Overcome with grief at losing his daughter, Bill kept remembering her excitement for the light display. He joined the Flagler County Rotary Club in 2003 and he proposed Tiffany’s idea to the board. He was granted approval to start the light display as a fundraiser in 2006.

Fantasy Lights started out with only 16 displays, this year 40 displays will light up Central Park in Town Center. The money raised from the event will go to help local and international charities.

Festivities will begin with the lighting of the trees tradition on Monday, Nov. 30, at Central Park in Town Center. Over 40 displays will light up the park every day in December from 6:30-9 p.m. This year is the 10th-annual event put on by the Rotary Club of Flagler County. On scheduled nights families can bring the kids for photos with Santa, train rides around the park and live festive music. Entry to the light display is free of charge, but donations to help support the Rotary Club of Flagler County will be graciously accepted.

“I know Tiffany is smiling at us from above as we enjoy this wonderful display of lights and community involvement.” - Chairman of Fantasy Lights Committee Bill Butler

“It takes a lot of community members to put this on each year,” Club president Matt Maxwell said. “Volunteers help us assemble the displays, local businesses and individuals sponsor the cost of the lighted displays. Our Rotary Club members operate the month long event and enjoy the reaction of the children and adults when they visit. It has become a signature event for the holiday season in Flagler County.”

The Rotary Club plans to have a progressive dinner on the opening night Monday, Nov. 30, with an appearance of many local restaurants.