Best Of Both: Bangor To Hold Festival Of Lights Parade and Light Contest

What had become a holiday tradition in Bangor, the Bangor Rotary's "Festival of Lights Parade", like many things during the pandemic, was canceled when Covid hit.

In its place, to try to keep the spirit of the holidays while promoting the safety of social distancing, the Rotary instead created a Community Lighting Contest.

The concept was for businesses and residents to decorate their spaces, competing in different categories, not unlike the different entries in the parade would have, and folks from the community could drive around, safely avoiding crowds, and vote on which displays they like the best.

Last year, the Rotary again decided to cancel the parade because of the risk of Covid, but there was such a call for a parade that the community came together and put on the Greater Bangor Area Christmas Parade in its place.

This year, the Bangor Rotary has decided to bring back the Festival of Lights Parade AND keep the Community Lighting Event; essentially allowing for the best of both worlds this holiday season.

According to the Rotary Club of Bangor:

"The Rotary Club of Bangor is VERY EXCITED to announce that we will once again host our annual, Festival of Lights Parade AND, based on all of the positive feedback, we have decided to ALSO host the Community Lighting Event as we have for the past two years."

This year, both events will have the same theme, "IMAGINE", and will kick off on the same day.

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The Festival of Lights Parade will take place Saturday, December 3rd at 4:30 PM. And the Community Lighting Event will run from December 3rd through January 2nd.

We're told there will be a bit of a change in this year's display contest, as well.

"Each participant will receive a lawn sign with a number on it. The public will be invited to drive around and view each entry. Maps with directions to participating locations will be provided on the Rotary website listed below. Viewers will then vote for their favorite entry by posting a picture on Facebook or on the Rotary website of the lawn sign or the display showing the number of their favorite entries. The winning entry will be named People's Choice and will receive $500 in cash!"

If you're interested in taking part in either the Festival of Lights Parade or the Community Lighting Event, you must register with the Bangor Rotary Club by Friday, November 18th. You can do so right online by clicking here.

The Rotary will also be holding its traditional Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony this year, taking place in West Market Square, directly following the Festival of Lights Parade, on Saturday, December 3rd.