Palm Coast Tree Lighting Kicks Off Holiday Event Season

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Palm Coast, FL – Kick off the holiday season at the City of Palm Coast’s annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, at Central Park in Town Center, 975 Central Ave., Palm Coast. The event is free.

Join Santa Claus, Palm Coast Mayor Milissa Holland and the Rotary Club of Flagler County in the countdown to the lighting of a beautiful tree, being decorated this year with sparkling lights and ornaments made by Girl Scouts from local troops. Carol Mini, the City’s Urban Forester, hand-selected the tree fromSanta’s Christmas Tree Forest in Eustis. The Sand Pine (Pinus clausa) is 25 feet tall with a 25- to 30-foot spread. The tree has been pruned into a Christmas tree shape for many years to prepare it as a City holiday tree.

After the tree lighting, Santa will visit with children, and everyone can enjoy entertainment and refreshments, and take a walk through the Fantasy Lights! Parents should bring their own cameras to capture pictures of their children visiting Santa in the Santa’s Village area. Children can also write Letters to Santa.

The Rotary Club of Flagler County’s 11th Annual Fantasy Lights Festival at Central Park will open that same night – continuing 6:30-9 p.m. daily through Dec. 30. On opening night, Dec. 1, Rotary will also be offering its “A Taste of the Holidays” progressive dinner alongside the Fantasy Lights displays, with tickets available at the event.

Admission to Fantasy Lights is free, but donations to support Rotary’s service work are accepted. Fantasy Lights is a self-guided walking tour around Central Park featuring 45 animated light displays, festive live and broadcast music, Santa’s Village, and holiday refreshments available for purchase. There will be photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, Santa’s Merry Train Ride, 3-D twinkle glasses and snow! See the City’s online calendar at www.palmcoastgov.com/calendars for details on special themed nights or visit the “events” section of www.flaglerrotary.org for more details.

Also be sure to Save the Date for these other holiday events:

  • Saturday, Dec. 10 – Palm Coast Starlight Holiday Parade & Event – Parade at 7 p.m. with activities from 4-6 p.m. including visits/photos with Santa, music, children’s activities, food trucks and fun family entertainment. Night-time parade featuring lighted floats starts at 7 p.m., at Central Park in Town Center, 975 Central Ave., Palm Coast. More info: 386-986-2323 orwww.palmcoastgov.com/events.

  • Saturday, Dec. 17– Annual Holiday Boat Parade – 6 p.m. Presented by the Palm Coast Yacht Club, boats will be lighted and begin departing the Cimmaron Basin, following this route: Cimmaron Basin to Intracoastal Waterway, turn south, passing Tidelands, Canopy Walk, St. Joe’s Walkway, Waterfront Park, Island Estates, then turning at Grand Haven Gazebo before heading back north to Clubhouse Waterway.

  • Saturday, Dec. 17 – Starlight 5K – 6 p.m., in and around Central Park in Town Center, 975 Central Ave. The run is part of the Run Flagler P.A.L. Running Series. More info:www.triumphraces.com.

For more information about the Boat parade, visit www.palmcoastyachtclub.com. For more information about Fantasy Lights, contact Bill Butler at purduebill@aol.com. For more information about the Tree Lighting Ceremony, contact the Palm Coast Parks & Recreation Department at 386-986-2323.