Fort Borst Park drive-thru light display brought lower attendance but extra donations in 2025

The annual Christmas lights drive-thru display at Fort Borst Park in Centralia brought a total of 6,451 cars in 2025, down from 7,150 cars in 2024.

While the total amount of money collected at $56,194 was also a slight decrease from $57,500 in 2024, that is because the nightly host organizations were able to keep $11,325 in extra donations, compared to $4,250 last year. 

The event was held from Dec. 5 through Dec. 25.

The main host of the event was the Centralia Police Officers Association, and the lights were set up by City of Centralia Parks and Recreation employees. 

Amy Buckler, Centralia deputy city manager and parks director, told the Centralia City Council Tuesday that the display takes over a month to set up, a month to carry out, and several weeks to break down.

Staff had to endure a number of obstacles this year, including multiple atmospheric river events as well as vandalism.

In late November, a vandal damaged approximately one-third of the displays, estimated between $20,000 and $30,000, before the event opened. Buckler said it wasn’t the only act of vandalism against the displays.

“There were a few other incidents, even all the way up to the end where somebody cut the wires for the orbs that are by the entrance,” Buckler said. “It was really great to have the participation of the police department, who were out there doing extra patrols. I think that helped tamp things down. We put up cameras. It’s really unfortunate that people want to go out and try to destroy something that’s ultimately for the kids and the kids in all of us.”

Bucker said the nightly host organizations include Little League athletic organizations, high school seniors and other local community groups. The Centralia Police Officers Association received $9,562, which it will use for next year’s Night Out With Santa and for its K9 program. The city collected $28,918 for Borst Park improvements and to keep the light display going in the future.