A new combination for York’s Festival of Lights
YORK, Maine — The Festival of Lights is returning to York, featuring the lighting of a Nubble Lighthouse and a new firework display at Long Sands Beach.
The Anchorage Inn is bringing the holiday spirit to Long Sands Beach in a big way this weekend with a brand new lighting display scheduled to turn on Saturday, Nov. 25, the first day of the Festival of Lights celebrated across town. That night, Santa Claus will visit the family-run hotel, while the Anchorage is also hosting its first firework display on the sand across the street.
“We intend to make it a tradition if everything goes well,” said Caitlynn Ramsey, whose family owns and runs the hotel at 265 Long Beach Ave.
The Festival of Lights is in its 31st year and is celebrated with festivities across town organized by the York Parks and Recreation Department. The lighting of the Nubble with holiday lights also takes place Nov. 25, according to Parks and Recreation special events coordinator Nick Darby.
Other events include the Polar Express on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 and the annual parade at York Village Dec. 2.
Darby said the collaboration with the Anchorage was welcome as Parks and Recreation has sought to spread activities throughout the town and decentralize them from Sohier Park, which can become congested. He said the event continues to be a fun opportunity for residents and tourists to enjoy York when the weather gets cold.
“It’s something special in the community,” Darby said. “We’re going to keep making it bigger and better every year.”
Anchorageto bring fireworks show to Long Sands Beach
Ramsey said her family reached out to the Parks and Recreation Department last year after hearing town officials were considering ways to address congestion on the Nubble Peninsula. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, Darby said his department realized too many people were congregating at events across from the town’s iconic lighthouse.
Darby said safety was the concern when talks about congestion began. He said up to 10,000 people show up to enjoy the Nubble at once sometimes despite there being only 50 spaces at the park. Buses transport people into the park, while some visitors park at the beach and walk to the Nubble.
“It’s people management and risk management, making sure we can have a great time,” Darby said.
To keep people more spread out during the Festival of Lights, Darby said the department began looking to hold and add events on the beach. That was why it was a perfect fit when the Anchorage reached out about joining the festivities.
“We knew some of the events up there, there wasn’t enough space up there anymore because of the large crowd it was drawing,” Ramsey said. “We thought we could do something of our own here to keep the Christmas tradition.”
Darby said the Ramseys asked what they could do to help. Discussions led to fireworks which will be launched at 7 p.m. from just south of the Sun and Surf restaurant.
“I was like, ‘That is a phenomenal idea,’” Darby said.
Before the fireworks show, Santa Claus will be on the front porch of the Anchorage’s office building from 5 to 7 p.m., and the perimeters of all the buildings at the Anchorage will be lit up, according to Ramsey. She said they have also created a winter Christmas tree farm in front of the office building with assorted sizes of trees. More than 40 wreaths are also going on the property and 1,200 feet of garland.
A hot chocolate bar will be in service at the end of the Anchorage’s lawn. S’mores kits will be available for people to enjoy by the side of a few fire pits.
Growing up in York, Ramsey said she’s developed a fondness for the Festival of Lights and its parade.
“I think it brings the community together,” Ramsey said. “It’s a chilly time of year, so it’s nice to see the community out and about.”
Parade, Polar Express and Christmas round out Festival of Lights
The Festival of Lights continues the following week with the annual Polar Express ride on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, in which kids get to board a trolley ride in their pajamas to the “North Pole.” The train stops at the Nubble Lighthouse, where children listen to a reading of the Polar Express. Upon their return, guests can enjoy hot chocolate and cookies at Woody’s Brick Oven Pizza.
Space is limited, so families are encouraged to buy tickets ahead of time. Pickup is in the parking lot by York’s Wild Kingdom.
The annual parade kicks off Dec. 2 at 4:30 p.m. and runs eight-tenths of a mile from Foster’s Clambake on Axholme Road onto York Street, ending at the Village Elementary School. The parade includes a variety of floats, as well as emergency vehicles and the York High School band.
Parade participants will be eligible for several awards. Those include Best Children’s Float, Most Original, Best Antique Car, Most Traditional, Best Use of Lights, Most Musical and Best Business Float.
Holiday festivities in York continue Dec. 9 when both fire departments host a toys-for-tots event. On Dec. 10, a free holiday concert will be held in the York Community Auditorium at York High School from 3 to 4 p.m.
While managing crowds at the Nubble Peninsula can be challenging, Darby said it is hard not to enjoy the famous lighthouse each holiday season. He said people remain dazzled not only by the lights but the Nubble’s construction itself with its adjacent home and its Victorian construction with gingerbread trim.
“It’s one of the most photographed places in the world,” Darby said. “It’s amazing.”