From House To Home

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There is something magical about Christmastime, but for Jennifer Spane, who grew up in Pierce County, there was one family tradition that made the season extra special—the annual Fantasy Lights at Spanaway Park.

“My family took my grandparents to it every year when I was a kid,” she says. “It was so much fun. It was different every year, and we never knew what they were going to
think of next.”

Spane grew to become the recreation supervisor for Pierce County Parks and Recreation, putting her at the head of organizing Fantasy Lights. Being new to the position, she is quick to credit others for all of their help.

She says preparing for the annual attraction is “pretty much a yearlong gig.”

It’s hard to imagine that it takes a year to prepare for a lighting display—until you learn what the display entails.

It is a 2.2-mile drive through the expansive and heavily wooded Spanaway Park. But it also includes more than 300 lighted displays. And those displays are anything but typical. Among them are a two-story, three-dimensional teddy bear, a band of musical bears—all playing different instruments—a train depot and train, displays honoring the military, a Model T Ford, penguins, a gingerbread lane, and a pirate ship.

The themes are varied and change from year to year. Spane says that even if you have been through the exhibit before, it is rearranged every year, so it never seems like the same show twice.

Fourteen years ago, the desire to create a special event that would allow the whole family to recreate together during the rainy winter months inspired the first Fantasy Lights.

Spane says it was her boss, Scott Hall, who initially saw light displays in other states and decided to attempt a similar display at Spanaway Park.

In the beginning, all of the displays were rented, but Spane explains that through the years, the park district has established a working relationship with several area high schools and technical colleges. That cooperative effort has made it possible for the park to own many of its displays. The high-school welding departments build the displays, and the electrical departments from the technical colleges are responsible for setting the electrical currents that make the animation. So not only are the displays beautiful, but many of them are also fully animated.

If You Go

As one might imagine, this type of exhibit attracts a lot of attention. Spane suggests that if attendees want a shorter wait, then come during the week rather than on the weekends.

This year, there should be plenty of time to attend, as it is the longest-running Fantasy Lights ever, beginning November 27 and continuing through January 4. The hours have been extended as well. This year Fantasy Lights will operate from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Admission is $13 per vehicle, $28 for a minibus, and $45 for a bus.

Spane says to keep your eyes open as there are coupons available for a discounted admission. Those coupons are available at several local businesses.

“This is a really big operation,” Spane says. “The sky is the limit as to what they will come up with next.”

ZooLights Celebrates 21st Anniversary

For something different this season, pack up the kids and head to the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium.

The zoo is celebrating its 21st anniversary of the ever-popular ZooLights, promising that this year will be its biggest and brightest event ever.

Visitors can expect to see lighted displays of beluga whales, elephants, owls, reindeer, dinosaurs, and other animal favorites. In addition, there will be live entertainment, holiday music, and refreshments served.

ZooLights will be open from 5-9 p.m. November 28-January 4 with the exception of being closed December 24.

Admission:

Daily: $7 at the gate; tickets are available at Bartell Drugs for $5.50.
Children under age 2 are free.
Advance tickets are available at the zoo before 4 p.m.