Town to Donate $7,000 for Festival of Lights [poll]

The fate of the Festival of Lights, Wickford’s annual celebration to kick off the holidays in the historic village, looked bleak heading into the fall. Wickford’s merchants, who have primarily funded the festivities for the past 25 seasons, were unsure if residents would be counting down to the lighting of the tree in Updike Park or hear carolers along Brown Street.

That was until the town stepped in and offered to contribute $7,000 to keep the holiday spirit alive in Wickford. On Monday, Nov. 21, the North Kingstown Town Council is expected to formally vote to give the funds to the weekend-long festivities, running from Dec. 1 to 4, for this year only.

“They need some help and quite frankly it’s a bid deal for the town and in Wickford Village,” said Town Manager Michael Embury at last week’s council meeting.

The funds will cover the majority of the celebration, which cost just shy of $7,000 last year. For Deb Aaron, owner of , the gesture by the town is comforting, both financially and emotionally.

“It shows that the merchants aren’t alone in this,” said Aaron.

According to Aaron, the number of merchants in Wickford and the amount they have contributed to the celebration has started to dwindle in recent years.

“The amount of the event has gone up and the contributions have gone down,” said Aaron.

With the added funds from the town expected in the budget for this year’s festivities, Aaron anticipates a bigger and better celebration than past years.

“During tough economic times, people want to cut back,” said Aaron. “But, this is the time we have to make it grander.”

Aside from the traditional components of the celebrations — including the tree lighting, Santa’s arrival by boat and winter concerts — Aaron and the other event organizers are looking to add an elf parade, historic scavenger hunt and possibly even ice sculptures.

Along with the town and the Wickford Village Association, the 26^th Annual Festival of Lights will also be sponsored by the North Kingstown Arts Council and the North Kingstown Newcomers Club. Check below for the official Festival of Lights’ schedule.

Thursday, Dec. 1

6 p.m.  Town tree lighting and visit from Santa in Updike Park, sponsored by the . The North Kingstown Community Youth Chorus and the Lafayette Band will also perform in the park.

Friday, Dec. 2

5:30 p.m.   Santa arrives to the town dock

6 to 8 p.m.  Hayrides with Santa around the village, starting in the parking lot by the town dock, $2 per person.

6 to 7:30 p.m.  Ongoing live Nativity at on Main Street performed by the church’s youth groups.

6:30 to 7:15 p.m.  The North Kingstown Community Chorus carols in Updike Park.

7:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.  The Lafayette Band performs their holiday concert at the Main Street.

Saturday, Dec. 3

8 to 11 a.m.  Breakfast with Santa at the on Main Street. ($10 per adult, $5 for kids 12 and under.)

12:30 p.m.  Santa arrives at the town dock.

1 to 4 p.m.  Hayrides with Santa throughout the village, starting in the parking lot by the town dock, $2 per person.

7 p.m.  North Kingstown Community Chorus and Youth Chorus hold their winter concert at .

Sunday, Dec. 4

12:30 p.m.  Santa arrives at the town dock.

1 to 4 p.m.  Hayrides with Santa throughout the village, starting in the parking lot by the town dock, $2 per person.

3 p.m. North Kingstown Community Chorus and Youth Chorus hold their winter concert at .