A crowd of more than a hundred gathered near Caribou’s downtown mall on Saturday for the city’s annual holiday tree lighting.
A large evergreen tree and its lights were donated by the late Robert L. Albert, former city councilor and Rotarian, and a plaque in his memory sits at the tree’s trunk.
The tradition was the culmination of Christmas in Caribou’s Small Business Saturday events and marked the “official” start of the holiday season.
Earlier in the day, the Caribou Christmas Market took place in Lyndon Square, featuring local vendors with artisan crafts, refreshments, wreaths and more. Visitors could take part in a scavenger hunt for a collectible ornament.
The Caribou Public Library set up a giving tree, inviting those who wished to “take a tag from the tree and bless a family.” Participants are invited to purchase items listed on the tag and drop off the new, unwrapped gifts to the organization listed or to the library.
As the market wound down, people started gathering by the tall evergreen. Santa and Mrs. Claus appeared and greeted everyone, to the delight of the younger set.
At 5:30, Santa counted down from 10 as the crowd joined in, and flipped the switch to light the tree. Cheers and applause erupted.
Even the city mascot, its bronze caribou statue, was bedecked for the holidays with a wreath around its neck.
