BANGOR, Maine — A balsam fir measuring more than 35 feet was erected by city workers Tuesday in West Market Square in time to greet residents and visitors for the holidays.
The tall evergreen was cut down from private land in Levant and donated to the city by Sprague’s Nursery and Garden Center, according to city officials. Public works crews used a donated utility truck from Emera Maine to install the tree and then city vehicles to decorate it with lights.
The annual lighting of the city’s Holiday Tree is scheduled for about 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, right after the Bangor Rotary Festival of Lights Parade, which begins at 4:30 p.m. and winds its way through downtown.
“The Festival of Lights Parade and tree lighting are a holiday tradition for families throughout the Bangor region, who bundle up and gather to watch the floats, sing carols, and wave to Santa,” Tanya Emery, director of community and economic development, said in a press release. “The city is grateful to Sprague’s Nursery & Garden Center, who once again donated the spectacular holiday centerpiece of downtown, and Emera, who donated the truck to set the tree in place in West Market Square. Our hats go off to the Bangor Rotary for organizing the parade, and keeping this wonderful holiday celebration alive in Bangor.”
Sprague’s has been donating a tree to the city for the holidays for more than 20 years.
The theme of this year’s parade, featuring about 70 entries, including marching bands, dancers and floats, is “Holidays From Around the World.”
“As in the past, we hope to present a spectacular nighttime parade, featuring entries that convey the many ways of celebrating winter in Maine,” says a statement on the Bangor Rotary web page. Groups participating in the parade may represent traditional scenes celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Ramadan, New Year’s, Solstice, and Kwanzaa or any winter happening.
The parade is set to begin at 4:30 p.m. Saturday at the intersection of State and Exchange streets, follow Harlow Street before turning left on Central Street, and then continue along Main Street before ending in front of Davenport Park next to Cedar Street.
More information about the parade and other planned holiday activities on Saturday, including musical performances, caroling, Santa visits, cookie making and face painting can be found at bangorrotary.org.