On Saturday, Nov. 25, the inaugural Villages of Lights celebration will light up the Twin Villages of Damariscotta and Newcastle just in time for the holidays. The Damariscotta Region Chamber of Commerce, the Twin Villages Alliance, and the Rotary Club of Damariscotta-Newcastle are pleased to announce the new festival, a holiday extravaganza for all ages.
The Villages of Light festival will combine the Chamber of Commerce’s arrival of Santa Claus, a parade, and a free showing of a holiday movie at Lincoln Theater with the Twin Villages Alliance’s annual Wrap it Up Festival, plus so much more.
“We’re thrilled to bring a family event to the Twin Villages, where everyone of all ages can enjoy the lights, music, food, parade, and Christmas shopping on small business Saturday,” said Twin Villages Alliance Chair Mary Kate Reny. “We look forward to the community’s support to make this event special and one we can build upon year after year.”
This year’s highlight will be the Sponsor a Tree program. For $125, 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. More than 40 live 4- to 5-foot Christmas trees will be available for sponsorship and will line the streets of the Twin Villages. The sponsorship includes tree installation on pallets, three strands of white battery-operated LED lights, batteries, a sponsor plaque, and tree removal in early January. Sponsors will be responsible for decorations and tree toppers. Members of the community are urged to react quickly to the sponsorship opportunity as trees are limited and will likely be going fast.
Local merchants and building owners are encouraged to get into the spirit by decking storefronts, windows, and buildings with lights and decorations that will add to this year’s festivities.
This year’s parade will be bigger and better and is now open to the community, as long as it includes a holiday-themed entry that is nonpolitical, and not controversial or vulgar. Members of the community can get into the spirit and participate by driving decorated cars, dressing up as elves, or better yet, creating a Twin Villages Santa and his team of reindeer.
For additional information on sponsoring a tree, contact Twin Villages Alliance at 370-6041. To participate in the holiday parade, contact John Roberts at 563-3171.
