Fantasy of Lights sets all-time attendance record, highlights benevolence and holiday spirit
FORT WAYNE — Blue Jacket Inc. had an inclination that their annual Fantasy of Lights event would be a popular one this year, knowing it provided a Covid-resistant return to normalcy to people who have been longing for anything to take their minds off of a difficult year. Visitors came in droves, many multiple times, to the tune of 31,523 vehicles, breaking the previous record of 23,300 vehicles set in 2018. Blue Jacket estimates this to be about 158,000 people who visited. And while record event attendance is exciting for the non-profit who specializes in providing employment training to those with barriers, it was the benevolence and goodwill from patrons that they encountered for the entirety of the event that really made the end of 2020 special for them.
“To say this was Christmas spirit on full display might be the understatement of the decade,” said Tony Hudson, Blue Jacket’s Executive Director and founder, and the man whose organization took over the event in 2015. “The funds raised from this year’s attendance will go such a long way in helping those who come to us to gain and maintain employment. But it was what we saw with our patron’s generous spirit, kindness, and excitement to attend our inaugural market that leaves an impression.”
Hudson mentioned that he and his gate workers lost count on how many families “paid it backward” — offering to pay for the car behind them and the hundreds of visitors (in need) that took advantage of their kindness. Some patrons, when told their car was paid for by the car in front of them, doubled up and told workers to pay for multiple cars behind them. Some vehicles waited in line for over 2-hours, never grumbling, with many responding “it was worth it.”
Higher than expected attendance led to higher than anticipated lines, which forced Blue Jacket to open their event a half-hour earlier beginning on Dec. 15. Many nights they opened at 5 p.m. in attempt to relieve traffic from backing up on surrounding streets.
“We took so many risks through this event as an organization this year,” said Brad Saleik, Director of Marketing. “But we felt led to do so as a way to give back to so many who were hurting and tired, as our way of saying ‘Thank you’ in the only way we could. And we firmly believe it was the spark that started the outpouring of an unprecedented 2020 event.”
Blue Jacket opened nearly 2 weeks early as a “Thank you” to many who were facing Covid-19 from the front lines. Teachers, first responders, military and nursing home residents received free admission on assigned nights. Knowing there were a lot of people who didn’t fit into those categories, Blue Jacket scheduled their popular “Pay What You Want” night, not once, but twice. Over 20,000 people visited the event for free or at reduced prices.
Perhaps the biggest risk Blue Jacket took was hosting their inaugural open-air Christmas Market, featuring food and craft vendors, additional Christmas lights, and displays. The anchor of the market was a 30-foot x 120-foot “Santa Experience” tent. Inside patrons traveled through a beautifully decorated Narnia scene followed by Santa’s workshop. Santa was present but sitting behind Plexiglass and using an audio system to hear every child’s wish for Christmas. Patrons told organizers the experience felt like a Hallmark card.
The Market came at a high financial and organizational cost to Blue Jacket with the uncertainty of Covid-19 county classifications, health official’s approval, location, and weather including high winds threatening the tents. Blue Jacket was forced to close the market 2 of the 11 evenings due to inclement weather. Saleik reflected, “Many others took a risk on investing in the market including sponsors, vendors, community volunteers, and the Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Dept., and for that we are grateful.” The result was over 6,000 visitors, many of them posting ‘selfies’ on social media standing in front of the brand new larger-than-life light displays or sitting next to Santa.
“We did everything we could to make sure this walking feature was beautiful, safe, and a place to make memories with family members and friends. We enhanced our event without an additional cost to visitors,” said Hudson. “It was a huge leap of faith for us, and it paid off in many ways, most notably how our lessons learned will be invaluable for the growth of this event in years to come.”
