.png){kind=small}
For more than 30 years, the Town of Fuquay-Varina has hosted a tree lighting in downtown. As the town and neighboring communities have grown, the event has become very popular drawing large crowds. In 2017, event organizers decided to add activities to the event to freshen its appeal and provide more activities for visitors to the tree lighting. Initially, an ice-skating rink was added garnering positive feedback from visitors which consequently provided a positive economic impact for businesses in the downtown.
Building on that success, town leaders incorporated the historic Fuquay Mineral Spring Park in the 2018 tree lighting. A majestic light display was added to the park and Santa was moved from a parking lot to the park underneath the historic spring house. The Town partnered with Century 21 Triangle Group to use their trolley, decorated for the holiday, to connect the many activities at the large event.
Adding activities, expanding the footprint of the event and effective advertising of the Town Tree Lighting and Festival of Lights made a strong positive economic impact on downtown businesses. More than 5,000 people attended the one-night tree lighting, but thousands more are expected to visit the Fuquay Mineral Spring Park to see the Festival of Lights which will be on display through early January.