The first Villages of Light festival will take place in Damariscotta and Newcastle on Saturday, Nov. 25. (Logo by Amber Clark)
Saturday, Nov. 25 will kick off the holiday season in the Twin Villages of Damariscotta and Newcastle with Villages of Light, a Christmas extravaganza for all ages.
The Villages of Light Committee, made up of representatives from the Damariscotta Region Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club of Damariscotta-Newcastle, the Twin Villages Alliance, and other volunteers, has worked to plan the event for the past few months and is excited to share its plans for the inaugural celebration with the community.
For years, the chamber and the Twin Villages Alliance have held separate Christmas-themed events. The chamber celebrated the arrival of Santa Claus with a parade down Main Street and a free showing of a holiday movie at Lincoln Theater, while the Twin Villages Alliance hosted the annual Wrap It Up street festival. A local Boy Scout troop wrapped Christmas lights and garland around the rail of the Damariscotta-Newcastle bridge.
This year’s celebration will combine the highlights of those events with new attractions sure to become annual, must-attend traditions.
From the decoration station in Skidompha Public Library, where children can make decorations, to the Cup of Cheer toast in the evening, Villages of Light is guaranteed to spark the spirits of people of all ages. Both towns will have their own community tree, located at Veterans Memorial Park in Newcastle and Chapman-Hall House in Damariscotta.
The highlight, however, will be the Parade of Lights, when Santa Claus arrives in town! Participation in the parade is open to the entire community, and awards will recognize the brightest float, the best town spirit, and the spirit of Christmas.
Business and building owners can join the fun by decking out their storefronts with festive decorations and energy-saving LED lights. Prizes and bragging rights are on the line!
Residents can get involved with the holiday cheer by decorating their homes or sponsoring a Christmas tree. Businesses, groups, individuals, or families can sponsor a tree to celebrate the holidays, honor children or grandchildren, or honor the memory of a loved one.
For the $125 fee, sponsors will receive a live 4- to 5-foot Christmas tree, a pallet and stand, and three strands of LED lights with batteries. The sponsors will be in charge of decorating the trees prior to Santa’s visit.
For more information, email villagesoflight@gmail.com, call the Damariscotta Region Chamber of Commerce at 563-8340, or find Villages of Light on Facebook and Instagram.
