Bangor, Maine – As cases of coronavirus continue to impact our communities, Rotary Club of Bangor once again this year, held its Festival of Lights event in lieu of the traditional holiday parade. Held in partnership with Greater Bangor Convention and Visitors Bureau, Downtown Bangor Partnership, and Links Web Design, Rotary Club of Bangor invited businesses, non-profits, private homeowners, municipal organizations, and entire neighborhoods to create festive and colorful light displays at their own locations, and did they ever!
From December 4 through January 2, the public was invited to drive by participating homes and organizations and enjoy light displays from the safety of their own vehicles. Then, cast their vote for their favorites. There were five categories to vote on, with the top vote recipient being honored with Best Overall. And the winners are:
- Outstanding Non-Profit display – Hathaway Lights, Veazie
- Outstanding Residential display – 284 Newburgh Road, Hermon
- Outstanding Commercial display – General Electric, Bangor
- Outstanding Municipal display – Bangor International Airport
- Outstanding Neighborhood display – 2009-2019 Skyway Valley, Hermon
- Best Overall/Fan Favorite (most overall votes) - Hathaway Lights, Veazie
Trophies will be awarded to all winners and a $500 cash prize to the light display voted Best Overall.
“While it wasn’t the usual parade that we’re all so fond of, the event this year was a safer alternative and business, nonprofits, homeowners, and organizations stepped up and wowed us with their creativity,” says Roland Narofsky, long term organizer and member of the Rotary Club of Bangor. “We are happy that we had such a successful Festival of Lights lighting competition again this year and are so grateful to all who participated.”
In addition, Rotary Club of Bangor dressed up the downtown Bangor holiday tree with updated lighting and decorations. And new this year, Santa Claus granted Rotary Club of Bangor oversight of one of his special delivery mailboxes which was placed near the tree at West Market Square. Children of all ages were encouraged to write a note to Santa and drop it in the box and hundreds did!
Rotary Club of Bangor offers our sincere thanks to the following organizations who sponsored this year’s Festival of Lights: Northern Light Health, Edward Jones – Office of John Byrne, Maine Savings FCU, Versant Power, Visiting Angels, Cyr Bus Lines, and Bangor International Airport. We could not have held this event without them!
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Media interested in covering this story are welcome to contact Roland Narofsky rnarofsky@mainesavings.com or John Byrne rotarianjohnbyrne@gmail.com.