SUMTER, S.C. — As the holiday season approaches, people are busy over in Sumter getting ready for the Fantasy of Lights at Swan Lake Iris Gardens. The annual display features handmade figures, strung with lights, that people can come see for free.
“I grew up coming here every so often during Christmas with my grandparents,” Price Bailey says. “I remember growing up seeing the SpongeBob characters and the Ninja Turtle characters. Yeah, it's really cool.”
Characters that Sumter's Parks and Gardens Manager Art Hill says take about four days to create.
“We stay busy for about two months prepping for this,” Hill shares. “It's evolved from they used to just light up trees in the park or in the entranceway to what you see now.”
Setting up for the light show is a labor of love, Hill says, that’s worth it so residents like Shakiyah Demelien can come enjoy the displays.
“I think it brings community honestly,” Demelien shares about the annual event’s value. “Everybody comes out, all walks of life. Everybody enjoys it, the kids absolutely love it. And I mean I love it too. I think adults love it too just as much. But I think it just brings community.”
A community that is getting to be involved now more than ever. This year, the city has chosen two drawings made by local students to turn into figurines.
“It's something that generations to come, those children one day can bring their kids back and say, ‘Hey, you know when your mom or your dad was in the eighth grade, they drew this and they were the winner and they made this,” Hill explains. “Because what we're going to do, we're going to stick these in our certain area where the folks can go and take pictures with them and stuff like that.”
“It boosts morale for the community. I think it makes the kids feel so special,” Demelien adds. “And it shows them that you can also kind of like be your own little hero kind of thing and kind of be like your own little artist. I think that's awesome.”
Hill estimates the park has about 150 figures as a part of the display. Each year, Hill says they try to add two two figures. In the past, he says employees would come up with the designs.
Crew members are crafting each design by hand. Then, Hill says they will be placed throughout the park for people to stop by and see for free, which Sumterite Easter Blair appreciates.
“It makes it feel like Christmas at the time because there are a lot of people who cannot afford Christmas, so coming here, make it very important,” Blair says.
The Fantasy of Lights will kick off with the official lighting ceremony on Dec. 1.
“We have big crowds coming every year,” Hill smiles. “People from all over the state come.”