The Parade of Lights moves up Main Street last November, seen from the roof of the Lockwood Hotel in downtown Waterville. Morning Sentinel file
WATERVILLE — A parade, the opening of Kringleville, a “Light Up the Town” contest, letters to Santa Claus and a new light display in Castonguay Square are all part of events the Children’s Discovery Museum of Central Maine is lining up this month to kick off the holiday season in Waterville and Winslow.
The annual Parade of Lights is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25, at Winslow High School, proceed south on Benton Avenue, cross the Ticonic Bridge into Waterville and then head north on Main Street. It is to end at The Elm at 21 College Ave. Those wanting to register to be in the parade should contact Amanda McCaslin, director of the Winslow Parks & Recreation Department, at amccaslin@winslow-me.gov.
McCaslin and her staff are coordinating the parade in conjunction with the Winslow and Waterville police departments and museum volunteers, according to Caitlin Walker, the museum’s community programs and relations coordinator.
Castonguay Square, which is next to City Hall in downtown Waterville, is expected to be ablaze with new lights and decorations being installed by SkyBox Holiday & Event Lighting of Manchester, Walker said. SkyBox owner Kaleb Pushard volunteered the service free of charge.
Several thousand feet of string lights and multiple types of novelty lights are expected to dress up trees in the square, as well as a giant Christmas tree, lamp posts and the Kringleville house where Santa Claus greets children every season.
SkyBox has done municipal lighting and the tree lighting ceremony for the town of Manchester and the Winter Wonderland at Augusta West Campground, lighting at the Olde Federal Building in Augusta and many residential holiday light displays.
At Castonguay Square, Santa Claus is expected to greet children from 1 to 4 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday between Thanksgiving and Christmas at the Kringleville cabin, according to Walker. Local organizations will host activities and give away items to children as they wait in line to see Santa.
“Families can expect DJs, hot cocoa, winter princess visits and more as part of the holiday celebration,” Walker wrote in an announcement to the news media.
Kringleville is made possible through support from the city of Waterville, Central Maine Motors Auto Group, Selah Tea Cafe and GoNetSpeed, according to Walker. Additional support comes from United Ag & Turf, State Farm and Chase Toys.
The museum is working with Chris Bernier of CTB Electronics to host a citywide light celebration during which businesses and individuals will decorate their properties with many lights, and the registered parties will be listed on a map so people can drive or walk by to view the displays. Those wanting to register may do so at Kringleville.org or the Kringleville Facebook page.
Throughout the season, children can write letters to Santa Claus and place them into the mailbox outside the Kringleville cabin or at the Waterville Post Office at 33 College Ave. Santa will reportedly respond to all letters that bear return addresses in the letters. Such information will be kept confidential.
Those who want more information on the holiday activities and events should visit www.kringleville.org or facebook.com/kringleville.
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