BANGOR, Maine — City crews raised Bangor’s 35-foot balsam fir tree to usher in the holiday season on Tuesday morning.
The city will light the tree, the first in Bangor’s newly renovated West Market Square, during a ceremony Saturday night immediately after the conclusion of the Festival of Lights Parade, according to Caitlin Brooke, Bangor’s downtown coordinator.
Sprague’s Nursery and Garden Center donated the tree, which was cut in Hermon.
Saturday’s holiday events start at 12:30 p.m. inside Bagel Central, 33 Central St., with Santa’s Workshop. Children can visit Santa Claus and share their Christmas wish list while parents take photographs. A professional photographer also will be available. Families also may decorate their own cookies, while supplies last. The Downtown Bangor Partnership is hosting that event.
At 4 p.m., thousands of people are expected to line Downtown Bangor streets for the Festival of Lights Parade, featuring bands, floats, dancers and other groups celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Ramadan, New Years, Solstice, Kwanzaa and other seasonal events.
The parade route starts on Railroad Street, turns right onto Main Street, proceeds through downtown, turns up Central Street, right onto Harlow Street, and crossing the State Street intersection before ending on Exchange Street near Camden National Bank.
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