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A HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGE turns off Park Row on Saturday before Brunswick's tree lighting ceremony.
A HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGE turns off Park Row on Saturday before Brunswick’s tree lighting ceremony.
BRUNSWICK

The Brunswick Downtown Association rang in the holiday season Saturday with its Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Mall.

Hot chocolate, horse and carriage rides, and visits with Santa and Frosty were the order of the day. Last week’s snowfall provided a festive backdrop for carolers, and while temperatures dropped with the sun, spirits remained high, culminating with Santa’s countdown to the tree-lighting.

BRAEDEN
BRAEDEN “BIZ” BARBOUR of Brunswick carries ammo for a snowball fight before Saturday’s tree lighting ceremony on the Mall in Brunswick.
“We have humongous lines for kids waiting to visit Santa” said BDA Membership and Events Coordinator Melissa Grillo, speaking on the snow-covered Mall. “I just think it’s awesome that they’re coming, and they’re having fun.”

In previous years, the ceremony took place the day after Thanksgiving, but the date was moved this year in order to coincide with Small Business Saturday.

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A BRIGHT half-moon shines down on Brunswick’s newly lit tree on Saturday.
A BRIGHT half-moon shines down on Brunswick’s newly lit tree on Saturday.
The BDA decorated lamp poles and hung balsam wreaths along Maine Street. The gazebo and Veterans Memorial on the Mall also were festooned with lights.

The lights and ceremony this year was estimated at $12,000.

The decorations are funded by monetary donations given to the BDA by Brunswick residents. Those wishing to donate can do so online at http://brunswickdowntown.org/forms/holidaydecorations. Funds were also raised through the BDA’s annual auction held in October.

CATHY PIFFATH, co-owner of the Fascination Station toy store in the Tontine Mall in downtown Brunswick, pilots a radio-controlled floating fish at her business on Saturday. Some local stores reported mixed results during Black Friday and Small Business Saturday last week.
CATHY PIFFATH, co-owner of the Fascination Station toy store in the Tontine Mall in downtown Brunswick, pilots a radio-controlled floating fish at her business on Saturday. Some local stores reported mixed results during Black Friday and Small Business Saturday last week.
In keeping with the holiday spirit, BDA is hosting the Holly Jolly Holiday Window Decorating Contest in downtown Brunswick beginning today.

SANTA CLAUS looks at the handiwork of one little girl at the tree-lighting ceremony in Bath Saturday. At left, a child puts her hand-made ornament on the Christmas tree in the gazebo next Patten Free Library in Bath. Stations were set up inside the library during the day Saturday for children to make their own ornaments to be hung on the tree.
SANTA CLAUS looks at the handiwork of one little girl at the tree-lighting ceremony in Bath Saturday. At left, a child puts her hand-made ornament on the Christmas tree in the gazebo next Patten Free Library in Bath. Stations were set up inside the library during the day Saturday for children to make their own ornaments to be hung on the tree.
Businesses will compete for cash prizes for best overall holiday design, most sparkle power and most creative. Judging will take place on Dec. 17, between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m.









 
 
BRUNSWICK DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION’S elves Katelyn Syphers, left, and Kristen Laweryson.
BRUNSWICK DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION’S elves Katelyn Syphers, left, and Kristen Laweryson.
A VIEW OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE in the Library Park gazebo Saturday evening — once the crowds had departed for City Hall for punch and cookies.
A VIEW OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE in the Library Park gazebo Saturday evening — once the crowds had departed for City Hall for punch and cookies.

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