holiday tradition
Welcome to Fantasy Lights at Spanaway Park
Step into a world of wonder at the 30th annual Fantasy Lights at Spanaway Park, proudly presented by Pierce County Parks. This enchanting event is renowned as the largest drive-through holiday lights display in the Pacific Northwest, promising an unforgettable experience over 38 magical nights. Each year, Fantasy Lights captivates thousands of visitors, offering a spectacular 2-mile journey along the picturesque shores of Spanaway Lake. This beloved event returns grander and more radiant than ever, ensuring a truly memorable holiday outing.
A Tradition That Shines Bright
Fantasy Lights has become a cherished holiday tradition, delighting families and friends across generations. It offers endless opportunities for memorable photos and joyous moments. As you navigate the illuminated park, prepare to be amazed by a giant Santa Ship, a colossal kraken encircling the Space Needle, and the beloved 3-D Teddy Bear that captivates the child in all of us. This season’s event features over 300 intricate displays designed to dazzle, inspire, and ignite the imagination of visitors of all ages.
Collaboration and Creativity
Since its inception in 1995, with just 38 light displays, Fantasy Lights has blossomed into a symbol of community spirit. Pierce County aimed to create an affordable, family-centric event that would showcase the park’s winter beauty, appealing to people of all ages while fostering a sense of unity among citizens, local businesses, service groups, and the Parks department.
The success of Fantasy Lights is fueled by collaborations with local businesses, schools, and community groups. These partnerships have allowed the event to evolve into a premier drive-through lighting extravaganza. This year, we are expanding our Northwest theme. Students from Bates Technical College’s welding program have crafted a giant ferry, adding to their impressive contributions since 1996. Clover Park Technical College’s welding students have designed a whimsical bear camping scene, while Rogers High School’s talented welders have created delightful rabbits hopping in the park.
Sustainability and Innovation
Fantasy Lights is committed to sustainability, actively working to reduce its carbon footprint by replacing old incandescent lights with energyefficient LEDs. Our partnership with Pierce County Planning & Public Works from 2013 to 2021 has been vital in these sustainability efforts. Experience the enchanting glow of our LED wonderland and see how we illuminate a path toward a brighter, greener future.
Enhance Your Experience
To elevate your holiday experience, tune your radio to AM 1700 while in the park for essential safety information and a festive mix of holiday tunes. At Fantasy Lights, inclusivity is key, ensuring everyone can enjoy the holiday magic. We offer affordable discount nights, enabling families and friends to create lasting memories together. With entry fees ranging from just $10 to $20 per car or van, it remains a budget-friendly outing for all.
Event Details
Fantasy Lights runs nightly, including holidays, from November 29, 2024, through January 5, 2025. The event is open from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., allowing families to savor the sights and sounds of this winter wonderland from the warmth and comfort of their vehicles, regardless of age, physical ability, or weather conditions. Pierce County Parks invites you to make Fantasy Lights a beloved holiday tradition. Thank you for joining us in celebrating 30 years of enchantment. Here’s to many more magical years filled with cherished memories!
Please contact us at fantasylights@piercecountywa.gov.
BEHIND THE SCENES
Setting sail into the holidays: Bates Technical College welding students bring ferry display to life
The merriest of ferry makes its debut at Fantasy Lights.
By Chelsea Lindquist, Bates Technical College
Tacoma, WA, November 5, 2024 - For three decades, students in the Bates Technical College Welding program have crafted more than 130 dazzling displays for Spanaway Park’s Fantasy Lights, brightening the holiday season. This year, they are excited to unveil a new addition that honors one of the Pacific Northwest’s most cherished modes of transportation—a giant ferry.
Measuring an impressive 30 feet long and 15 feet high, this year’s ferry will catch your eye as it joins other Bates-built displays along the park’s enchanting route. Constructed from three separate sections—the two base pieces and the ferry top—students assembled this display in just one week, a notable pace for a project of this scale.
This project is a valued partnership between the college and Pierce County Parks and Recreation, providing students with hands-on experience and insight into the extensive planning that goes into creating such festive displays.
Each year, the Parks and Recreation staff provide the Welding program instructors with a design sketch. From there, students collaborate to bring these visions to life, bending, cutting and welding materials into stunning displays for visitors to enjoy on their drive through the park.
Pictured left to right: Tim Thomas, Kate Moery, Gabe Shaver, and Damion Boyd
Welding program instructor Eric Johnson emphasizes the value of this initiative, stating, “Students have the chance to apply their skills in real-world settings. This project allows them to see their designs come to life, providing a rewarding learning experience that prepares them for the industry.”
By mid-October, once the project is complete, the display is transported to the park on a flatbed truck and adorned with twinkling lights for all to enjoy.
As you wind through the 2.2-mile drive-through event, you’ll discover Bates-built scenes and figures around every corner. Last year’s highlight was the Kraken octopus, a PNW tribute to our beloved hockey team. Past displays have included a stalking Sasquatch, a grand pirate ship, vibrant rows of daffodils and cherry-red tulips, aquatic wonders like the whale introduced in 2018, cheerful troops of twinkling elves, Old Man Winter, and even a towering dinosaur!
Dr. Lin Zhou, President of Bates Technical College, emphasizes the significance of this enduring partnership: “This rewarding collaboration with Fantasy Lights began nearly 30 years ago, showcasing a vibrant hands-on learning tradition for our students. Every holiday season, we look forward to being a part of it.”
Join us this holiday season to celebrate the creativity and hard work of our talented students, and immerse yourself in the magic of Fantasy Lights at Spanaway Park!
About Bates Technical College
Founded in 1940, Bates Technical College offers certificate and degree opportunities in 45+ career education programs. The college serves approximately 3,000 career training students and 7,000 more community members annually in extended learning, distance learning, high school, and other programs. For more information, go to BatesTech. edu, or call 253-680-7000. Bates Technical College is proudly part of the Washington state community and technical college system.
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thank you
fantasy lights Sponsors & Partners:
Without the generous contribution of our event sponsors and partners, we would not be able to bring the magic of Fantasy Lights to our community. Thank you for helping us create unforgettable memories for families and friends this holiday season!
Rogers High School Welding Program
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