The annual Festivals of Lights at Olde Mistick Village and Mystic Aquarium, which continues to draw large crowds each year, set two records last Friday night.

While exact attendance numbers are not known, Mystic Aquarium, which offers free admission from 6 to 8 p.m. for those who donated a canned good, announced today that 5,834 people took advantage of the offer, the most ever.

In addition the aquarium's executive vice president for marketing and public affairs, Peter Glankoff, said that five tons of canned goods and non-perishable food items were collected and brought to the Gemma Moran Food Pantry in New London for distribution to those in need. This doubled the previous record set in 2008.

The festival features more than 4,000 luminaries that light the walkways of the village and aquarium along with entertainment, live music and visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus.