Thirty-Fifth Annual Kennebunkport Christmas Prelude
Would it be possible without Kennebunk High School students?
Gregory Rec/Staff Photographer: People crowd into Dock Square in Kennebunkport on Friday, November 30, 2012 for a tree lighting ceremony that kicks off the town’s annual Prelude, to, a seven day holiday festival with 150 activities.
As many people know, Christmas Prelude is a huge event in Kennebunkport, Maine. Home & Garden Television(HGTV) even voted Kennebunkport the “#2 Christmas town in America”! This year, Christmas Prelude is taking place from December 1st through December 11th. Throughout the ten days it is being held, there are events ranging from a fish chowder supper to an American Legion Christmas Craft fair. For high schoolers, the biggest part of prelude seems to be the tree lighting, followed by the bonfire hosted by the Kennebunkport Fire Department.
This year, the tree lighting will take place Friday, December 2 at 5:30 pm followed by the bonfire at 7:00 pm, and Friday, December 9 at 5:30 pm followed by the 6th annual Christmas fireworks display at 6:15 pm.
High school students are a huge part of this week, seeing as they help by volunteering and fundraising for their classes. Before, during, and after the tree lighting there will be hot chocolate and small desserts sold at “The Clam Shack,” put together by Mrs. Lamontagne who fundraises for the class of 2018. Many other businesses that have something to do with this week contact Mrs. Lamontagne for high school volunteers, or help with various things. Mrs. Lamontagne, along with many high school students are a huge part of Christmas prelude here in Kennebunkport, because without these people, it wouldn’t be as successful.
Directly before the tree lighting, the KHS Chamber Choir performs caroling for the crowd. Chamber choir singer Elizabeth Elkington says, “I really like singing with everyone because we’re signing to brighten people’s holiday spirits, and I love the way we all sound as a group.” She also states how much she loves prelude as a whole, and not only because of Chamber Choir. She said, “I’ve been going to the tree lighting since 4th grade, but I’ve been singing in it since freshman year with Chamber Choir. I really like Christmas, and having the whole town come together to celebrate old traditions like lighting the tree.”
Many people throughout Kennebunkport think very highly of the Christmas Prelude held here, and enjoy it very much, including a large amount of people that travel from other towns to enjoy it with them.
Check out the Kennebunkport Christmas Prelude website(https://www.christmasprelude.com) if you’re interested in the many other events held throughout the ten prelude days!