ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — Millions of lights are shining in St. Augustine as the city celebrates the annual 'Nights of Lights' event. But before the lighting ceremony, downtown business owners were getting ready to entertain the crowds and put on their own light displays.
David Spinney, owner of Lobstah On A Roll, starts preparing for Nights of Lights in October.
“The families and the kids coming in is the best part of Nights of Lights," Spinney said.
Spinney has already stocked the freezers in his restaurant and has called in extra staff. The last thing left on the to-do list? Getting all the lights in place.
"It makes our business more enjoyable for us when the families come in, they sit around the table and the kids are eating," Spinney told First Coast News. "Our business, it doubles for Nights of Lights.”
The event runs from November to January and is a huge economic boost for the area.
But, it also is a way for the community to come together and learn about the historic city.
“I feel like when people think of the oldest town of St Augustine, they think it’s kind of old and not really renovated, but the Nights of Lights brings a lot of different cultures and people together," St. Augustine resident Morgan Kelley said.