The first full weekend of December will bring a rush of holiday spirit to Presque Isle.
Residents and visitors will be able to help those in need, support local artisans and enjoy sparkling lights with activities for all ages.
The newest addition is a Lights and Ladders Holiday Haul, presented by the City of Presque Isle and the city’s police and fire departments. In a partnership with the Aroostook County Action Program, public safety personnel will collect new and unwrapped gifts to brighten the holidays for local families in need. It’s a chance for first responders, who often deal with troubling situations, to share something positive with the community, Firefighter/Paramedic Chase Labbe said.
“It’s not always the bad stuff we want to be dealing with. We want to be in the public in a positive way, as well, and we believe something like this is a good way to give back to the community,” Labbe said. “The community gives to us all year, so any way we can give back, we are more than willing to do so.”
Lights and Ladders will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7, and Sunday, Dec. 8, at the Presque Isle Walmart parking lot.
The goal is to fill the insides of the emergency vehicles with donations of gifts, which can include toys, nonperishable food items, household goods and outerwear like jackets, hats and gloves in all sizes.
Unlike some programs which collect donations just for children, the Holiday Haul is geared to all members of the family, including children, Labbe said.
The event is based at Walmart because it’s a large space and easy to find, but donations can come from anywhere. People can bring gifts to the public safety personnel on site, who will work with ACAP to distribute them to local families.
“These items are anticipated to be distributed throughout the Presque Isle community,” Labbe said. “We’re trying to help local children and families in need with the generosity from our community.”
Labbe is coordinating the fire department side of things, while Detective Rachel Fisher is organizing the event and handling the police department’s participation, he said.
Also on tap is Presque Isle’s 35th annual Holiday Light Parade, which draws hundreds to the downtown for the lineup of brightly lit floats, trucks, marchers and more.
A Star City staple that traditionally ushers in the holiday spirit, the parade is presented by the Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce and will wind down Main Street starting at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7.
In keeping with tradition, Santa and Mrs. Claus will appear on the chamber’s float as the last, and most anticipated, entry in the parade. Santa will not be on any other float, the chamber stated on its website.
There is no cost to participate. Lineup starts at 4:30 p.m. at the University of Maine at Presque Isle. The parade will go all the way down Main Street to North Street, ending at the far entrance of the North Street Plaza parking lot, where awards will be presented.
There are more holiday happenings that weekend.
Vendors and artisans from all over The County will be at the Sargent Family Community Center for the annual Winter Craft Fair. The fair will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 8.
The St. Apollonia Dental Clinic Festival of Trees is on tap at the Northern Maine Community College gym. Hours are Friday, Dec. 6, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 7, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 8, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For information on Lights and Ladders, contact Det. Fisher at the Presque Isle Police Department. For parade details, find a registration form online or contact the chamber at 207-764-6561.
