News release from Blue Jacket:
Blue Jacket Fantasy of Lights is Doubling Down on Mission and Commitment to Community Despite Weather-Related Low Attendance
Fort Wayne, Indiana (December 23, 2025) – Blue Jacket Fantasy of Lights is adding an additional night for people without the financial or physical means to attend the country’s largest nonprofit drive thru light display for their last “Mission Monday.”
Blue Jacket is adding an additional “Mission Monday” on Monday, December 29th when the organization will allow vans from shelters, homes, and churches to transport people who are “shut out” from opportunities to experience beautiful light displays, as well as those “shut-in” from shelters, groups homes, or their own residences – lacking the capacity to attend events such as this. So far this season, Blue Jacket allowed free entry to an estimated 1,020 people.
Donnell Miller, Blue Jacket Board President, states, “The tradition of Mission Mondays is important at its core. Offering joy and happiness to people through beautiful light displays and compassionate employees in our Christmas Village is important for our community – everyone deserves to feel loved and appreciated.”
Blue Jacket leaders say this goes against the grain for a (nonprofit) that uses 100% of the event revenue raised to support its mission. These individuals are typically left out of opportunities to experience the warmth and joy of the season – these very people Blue Jacket serves day-in and day-out who often find themselves in the margins of society.
“To offer free admission when the weather has impacted attendance so much this year says a lot about the heart of Blue Jacket for our community,” said Tony Hudson, CEO of Blue Jacket, “We purposefully keep our admission fees low, even though our expenses have outpaced price by 350% since 2014. Experts suggest a much higher price, but we remain faithful that we will raise enough funds for our critical mission of training and employing people with barriers.”
Many guests have commented how amazed they are at the larger driving route, synchronized-to-music Pines of Partners 1st section, and the many new experiences inside the Christmas Village, including free hot cocoa and free visits with Santa, Grinch, and Frosty. The new partnership with the Fort Wayne Zoo’s Wild Lights has been a great addition to the holiday light scene, with people spending hours soaking in all the new experiences.
The Wild Lights and on-site Christmas Village and Marketplace (including visits with Santa) will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas but reopening after that. The Fantasy of Lights drive thru is open every night through New Years Eve. The Village features a variety of local vendors offering handcrafted items, holiday décor, festive treats, gifts, and unique seasonal finds. The event is open to the public with regular Fantasy of Lights admission, and attendees are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy the festivities. For more information about Blue Jacket Fantasy of Lights and upcoming events, visit fortwaynelightfest.org.
Blue Jacket, Inc. is a social services organization that provides training and opportunities to anyone with a barrier who is striving to earn gainful employment. We envision that anyone with a barrier to employment will be restored with hope and provided capacity to obtain and retain employment because of Blue Jacket’s network and resources of support.
Blue Jacket achieves these goals through the Blue Jacket Academy as well as the operation of its social enterprises to hire people in-house who require additional skill development. The organization self-funds through earned income, fundraising events, and grants.
Related Images:
