Fantasy of Lights back for the holidays

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- Twinkling lights, animated displays, all add to the magic of the holiday season. Thousands ride through every year for the Fantasy of Lights at Lighthouse Point Park in New Haven.

Not quite wintry weather, but volunteers are already hard at work to light things up. More than 100 thousand light bulbs, 60 displays, 30 of which are animated, are put up for the one mile stretch.

"This year we're going green. A lot of the displays are going to have LED lighting which are more vibrant, it's actually very cost effective. We're excited about the utility costs going down," Richard Borer, the President of Easter Seals Goodwill Industries, said.

This is a major fundraiser for Easter Seals Goodwill Industries, raising thousands of dollars annually.

"I want everybody to come out, yeah, raise money for Easter Seals for everything Easter Seals does." Mike Calamita, an Easter Seals Client said.

The money goes to programs for people with disabilities so they become more self-sufficient.

"It helps me get work. I like working," Gussie Ashe, an Easter Seals Client said.

Without Easter Seals?

"I'd be at home," Ashe said. "Sitting around."

News 8 asked Ashe what he would rather be doing and he said, "Working."

Hundreds of people give a helping hand including operating engineers from Local 478, to set things up and tear them down.

News 8 asked Duane Gates of Local 478 what it is about Easter Seals that makes him really want to give, and Gates said, "Looking at the individuals over here, the clients that they represent, people that have disadvantages."

The Fantasy of Lights is a holiday tradition for families.

It starts November 16 through December 31.