York Town News
One of the most wonderful times of the year begins this week
By Jennifer L. Saunders
It's beginning to look a lot like the holiday season here in York, with the Annual Lighting of the Nubble set for this Saturday, Nov. 25, and the Festival of Lights Celebration to begin next weekend. A favorite part of the season is the Festival of Lights Parade, which features Santa Claus, York's Citizen of the Year and many local community groups, scouting organizations and churches riding on floats or marching down York Street. Pictured are angels riding by - on high - in a past parade.
Courtesy photo
YORK - With that favorite holiday for fans of turkey, delicious food and time with family, Thanksgiving, happening this Thursday, Nov. 23, the holiday season is officially upon us.
And in true York fashion, it will be greeted in style with the festive Lighting of the Nubble coming right on the heels of Thanksgiving this weekend.
The Annual Lighting of the Nubble is set for this Saturday, Nov. 26, beginning at 5 p.m. with family fun and entertainment, followed by the much-anticipated "countdown to lights on" at 6 p.m.
According to the York Parks and Recreation Department, which hosts the annual event with the support of many volunteers, those who attend should plan to bundle up as they gather at Sohier Park's edge-of-the-chilly-Atlantic location to see the town's most recognizable landmark outlined in white lights in celebration of the season.
Held each year on the first Saturday after Thanksgiving, the event is hailed as the official start to York's celebration of the holidays, and it is certainly not the end to all the fun.
Next Saturday, Dec. 2, the annual Festival of Lights Celebration will transform York Village into a New England holiday picture postcard, with white lights adorning the trees and candles in the windows of shops, the Old York Historical Society museum buildings, Town Hall and the First Parish Church, as well as many York Street residences that also get into the spirit of the holidays in time for the festival.
And for residents, businesses and community members, there are many ways to be a part of this event, either as spectators or participants.
For example, the Moquin Family's Festival of Trees is set to debut during this year's Festival of Lights Celebration, renewing a past tradition where community groups, businesses and individuals can decorate artificial Christmas trees to be auctioned off for a good cause.
Janalee Moquin said she is hoping more participants will contact her in the week ahead to be a part of this event.
"The St. Aspinquid Charity Fund will be this year's recipient and all of the money raised will fund their many community-wide programs," Moquin said, adding it costs nothing but time and imagination, and the cost of a tree and decorations, to enter this festival.
The trees will be on display at St. Aspinquid Masonic Lodge on Long Sands Road throughout the Festival of Lights celebration beginning on Friday, Dec. 1, with the set-up of the trees. Tree viewing will be held on both Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 2 and 3, with the raffle set for Sunday afternoon.
Entry forms can be completed over the phone by calling Moquin at 361-2116.
For a full look at this year's many Festival of Lights events, including the Wreaths and Greens Sale at the First Parish Church, the many offerings from the Old York Historical Society, visits from Santa Claus, entertainment and, of course, the details on this year's parade, see our Festival of Lights preview in the Nov. 29 edition of The Independent.
