- December 21, 2025
Kayliana Hall, 9, leads the Pathfinder and Adventure Group of Palm Coast in song. Photo by Sierra Williams
Mayor Mike Norris (center) presents a proclamation declaring Dec. 20 as annual Fantasy Lights day to Bill Butler, co-chair of the Fantasy Lights Festival, (left) and Scott Sowers of Cline Construction. Photo by Sierra Williams
S.M.A.R.T. brought several adoptable dogs to the Fantasy Lights events, including Jolly, a golden retriever puppy. Photo by Sierra Williams
City Attorney and Rotary Club member Marcus Duffy holds up the Rotary Club's 20th anniversary jingle bell. Photo by Sierra Williams
Walker and Wyatt McPherson play with puppies at a SMART of Flagler County booth. Photo by Sierra Williams
The Troupe, a dance group with The Dance Method, performed at the 20th anniversary celebration. Photo by Sierra Williams
The Troupe, a dance group with The Dance Method, performed at the 20th anniversary celebration. Photo by Sierra Williams
Several groups performed at the 20th anniversary event, including the Pathfinder and Adventure Clubs of Palm Coast with the Seventh-Day Adventist Church of Palm Coast. Photo by Sierra Williams
Seventh-Day Adventist's Pathfinder and Adventure Club members. Photo by Sierra Williams
The Rotary Club of Flagler County held a celebration for the 20th anniversary of the Fantasy Lights Festival. Photo by Sierra Williams
Flagler Palm Coast High School Rotary Club members: Kinsey Ruiz, Ava Zublionis and Club President Hannah Zublionis. Photo by Sierra Williams
Flagler County Commissioner Leann Pennington with Palm Coast Vice Mayor Theresa Carli Pontieri and Councilman Ty Miller hand out candy to festival goers. Photo by Sierra Williams
Bill Butler thank the crowd and everyone who makes the Fantasy Lights festival happen every year. Photo by Sierra Williams
Mayor Mike Norris (center) reads a proclamation declaring Dec. 20 as annual Fantasy Lights day. Behind him is Michelle Bartlome, president of the Rotary Club of Flagler County, and Bill Butler, co-chair of the Fantasy Lights Festival. Photo by Sierra Williams
Swillerbees donated 200 doughnuts to the Fantasy Lights celebration. Photo by Sierra Williams
Over the last two decades of Fantasy Lights festivals in Palm Coast, over $375,000 have been raised, Rotary Club of Flagler County President Michelle Bartlome said.
"That's the power of community," Bartlome said, "and that is the heart of Rotary."
The Rotary Club of Flagler County held a celebration on Dec. 20 for the 20th anniversary of the Fantasy Lights Festival. In the last 20 years of Fantasy Lights, volunteers have dedicated some 36,000 hours of their time to create the Fantasy Lights festival and raise money for local organizations.
That money returns to the community through sponsorship or scholarships, nonprofits and service projects that directly benefit those here in Flagler County, Bartlome said.
"This tradition began back in 2006," she said, "and no one could have imagined that it could get as big as it has today."
The 20th anniversary celebration lasted from 5-8 p.m. at and had performances from The Troupe with The Dance Method dance school and the Pathfinders and Adventure Clubs of Palm Coast from Seventh-Day Adventist Church.
Festival attendees could also receive a special 20th anniversary jingle bell to commemorate the event for a $20 donation.
The Fantasy Lights festival stemmed from the dream of Tiffany Butler, who died in 2002 of a heart condition. Her father Bill Butler, a Rotary Club member, said that in 1997 when his family saw a Christmas light display in Indiana, his daughter Tiffany wanted to have a similar light show in Palm Coast.
Tiffany did not live to see the fruition of her dream, but, Butler was able to bring it to life in 2006. The first Fantasy Lights had just 16 displays, Butler said, and it has now grown to 57 light displays.
"When I look around and they see more than 57 displays, thousands of families and a community united, I know Tiffany will be smiling," Butler said, overcome with emotion. "This event is proof that even the smallest spark of imagination can grow into something extraordinary, fancy lights has never been just about the lights."
Fantasy Lights about more than just the lights, he said. It's about making memories, volunteers and a "community coming together for something bigger than themselves.
"That's what makes this tradition special," Butler said. "I am grateful to everyone who has helped Tiffany's dream alive all these years, and I am humbled to see it shine brighter than ever on this 20th anniversary."
During the event, Mayor Mike Norris read a proclamation declaring Dec. 20 as Fantasy Lights Day.
"That little spark that Bill set has made this all happen," Norris said.
