- April 19, 2024
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The Grinch steals the microphone from Palm Coast Mayor Milissa Holland. Photo by Paige Wilson
The Grinch waltz in to steal the show — but not Christmas. Photo by Paige Wilson
Santa Claus arrives to save Christmas. Photo by Paige Wilson
Santa Claus gifts the Grinch with candy canes to stop him from stealing Christmas. Photo by Paige Wilson
Eddie Branquinho (City Council) and wife Dina, Robert Cuff (City Council), Sheriff Rick Staly and Debbie Staly, Santa, the Grinch, Mayor Milissa Holland and daughter Tori Holman, Cindy Evans (Rotary) and Leila Abdusattarov.
Cindy Lou Who and the Grinch pose with Palm Coast residents Stephanie and Emma Febrizi. Photo by Paige Wilson
Rotary Club of Flagler County President Cindy Kiel Evans helps Palm Coast resident Bobbie Vaught see if her code opens the jewelry box. Photo by Paige Wilson
Palm Coast Mayor Milissa Holland speaks to the crowd. Photo by Paige Wilson
Palm Coast City Council member Robert Cuff, Tori Holman and her mother Palm Coast Mayor Milissa Holland, Rotary President Cindy Evans, Debbie Staly and Sheriff Rick Staly and City Council member Eddie Branquinho and wife Dina.
Palm Coast residents Kelly, Brandon and William Franklin with their dog Doodles. Photo by Paige Wilson
Despite causing a fuss and stealing the microphone from Palm Coast Mayor Milissa Holland, the Grinch's heart grew three sizes the night of Saturday, Dec. 1, as Santa Claus gifted him with candy canes, which encouraged him to not steal Christmas after all.
"We heard a rumor that the Grinch is trying to steal Palm Coast's holiday," Holland said as the hairy, green Dr. Seuss character walked up to the microphone. "But we will not let that shape of our tree take away our holiday spirit. We have so much in Palm Coast to be grateful for, so let's start this celebration."
The Christmas tree used for the tree-lighting ceremony at Central Park in Town Center was a little less full than the city of Palm Coast hoped for, but Holland encouraged the crowd to appreciate the many upcoming events this season put on by the Rotary Club of Flagler County, including the Festival of Lights around the pond in the park.
"This event is very important to us," Rotary Club of Flagler County President Cindy Kiel Evans said. "Bill Butler, one of our Rotarians, had this vision of this event for his young daughter, Tiffany, who had passed away a couple years before he came to the club to ask if we could put this event on in her honor. She loved Christmas light displays."
This year, there are 48 light displays, Evans said, as there are four more sponsors than last year.
The Festival of Lights will be lit for the public to enjoy 6:30 to 9 p.m. daily through Dec. 30, with live music for entertainment, at 975 Central Ave.
Guests heard from Holland and Evans before Santa Claus and the Grinch helped members of the Palm Coast City Council flip the switch to light the Christmas tree.
"My Palm Coast City Council members and I are so excited to share this occasion with so many beautiful children and families — our neighbors and our friends," Holland said. "Thank you to the Rotary Club of Flagler County for bringing us the amazing Fantasy Lights for the thirteenth straight year."
In addition to the tree-lighting, guests were invited to bid on Christmas trees decorated by Rotary Club sponsors. Rotarians arranged to soon deliver the Christmas trees to each of the highest bidders. Participants could also purchase codes to hopefully be one of the three winners whose code would open a jewelry box with contents donated by Greg Lynn Jewelers.
Kids lined up to meet Santa at Santa's Village. “A Taste of the Holidays” featured local restaurants that offered a wide assortment of small plates from 6-8 p.m. for $1 tickets.
Proceeds from the evening's festivities will benefit the Rotary Club of Flagler County. Evans said the club grossed $4,000 from the event.
See the city’s online calendar at https://www.palmcoastgov.com/calendars for details on special themed nights or visit the “Fantasy Lights” section of http://www.flaglerrotary.org for more details.
