Fantasy Lights draws record crowd this holiday season

Pierce County’s Fantasy Lights at Spanaway Park continues to set attendance records.

The 2001 Fantasy Lights was attended by 140,619 persons, up 4 percent from last year’s previous record of 135,146.

The Northwest’s largest drive-through holiday lights show, Fantasy Lights ran Nov. 22 through Jan. 1.

The event began in 1995 with 98,730 attendance.

“Our hope in 1995 was that Fantasy Lights would become a tradition for families in Pierce County and the Puget Sound region,” said Parks Director Jan Wolcott. “We are pleased to see that happening.”

The department’s final report shows that 25,864 vehicles toured the two-mile winding drive. Fantasy Lights features a myriad of sparking lights and more than 200 display creations.

Running from Thanksgiving Day through New Year’s Day, Fantasy Lights operated 40 nights with no cancellations for weather. Planning is already under way for the 2002 event.