For 21 years the Madison “Holiday Fantasy in Lights,” has been delighting kids and adults alike with its complex and colorful displays. The light show was first held at Warner Park in 1989. Back then it was a much smaller event with only 12 displays. After eight years it outgrew its home at Warner and moved to its current location at Olin Park, on the shores of Lake Monona.
The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local Chapter 159 put on this annual event. Employees from NECA and IBEW design, build, install and service the displays. It takes over 400 hours to set up the displays, which is done in about one week, rain or shine.
Seeing the display is obviously meant to be a nighttime activity. Thankfully, it gets dark pretty early these days. To get into the event, turn into Olin Park from John Nolen Drive There are signs that guide the way, but you shouldn’t need them – just head towards the colorful installations to your left. Make sure to put on your parking lights and take a right by the friendly dragon, one of this years’ new features. Tune your radio to station 1610 AM to get a commercial- free soundtrack to the displays.
The light displays range from season- ally appropriate Santa Clauses to light renditions of Madison landmarks such as the Capitol and a various number of planes. You will loop around the park ‘oooooing’ and ‘aaaaahing’ at the lights and end up at the beginning where a cheery volunteer gives you a candy cane. If you take a right before the exit you can drive into the empty boat launch parking lot. From there you can enjoy a beautiful view of the Madison skyline.
The lights were recently switched over to LED bulbs. These bulbs use less energy, are brighter, and can be switched on and off in cold weather.
“We are using 82 percent less electricity since switching to LEDs,” said Kelly Wolf, event coordinator. “The LEDs won’t burn out like the old halogen bulbs when turned on and off in cold weather. We no longer have to keep the displays on during the day, that has caused our energy costs to go down.”
Despite or maybe because of the economy, the Fantasy in Lights have been busier and received more donations from people viewing the event.
“Because it’s a free event, more peo- ple are visiting it and a lot of them are making donations at the exit,” Wolf said.
Although NECA and IBEW put a lot of money and labor towards the displays, they can always use donations. They can be given at the exits to the volunteers.
There is also a “Buy a Bulb” program, which costs one dollar and can be paid at the exit. For every $500 raised through the program they are able fund another display. There is also the memory tree program where people can buy bulbs in honor of someone. That person’s name is then listed on a lighted banner on the memory tree that sits on a hill overlooking the displays.
The program is also running an essay contest for anyone under 16 years of age. The entry requires an essay that is 100 words or less on what makes the holidays special to you. The winner receives a $100 cash prize. An excerpt will be removed from the essay and featured in the promo for next year’s Fantasy in Lights. The winner also gets to turn on the lights next year!
The Holiday Fantasy in Lights is a fun, family oriented and free community event that is still going strong after more than 20 years. It is just one of many Madison events that are byproducts of a strong community. Please show your support by seeing the lights and, if possible, giving a donation.