Twin Cities gearing up for annual holiday parade and tree lighting

LEWISTON — The Twin Cities’ signature holiday celebration and parade kicks off on Wednesday, Dec 3.

This is the eighth year Lewiston and Auburn have combined efforts.

The annual Parade of Lights will start at Main and Academy streets, with the parade staging there. There are 25 floats and participants.

The procession will step off at 6 p.m., stopping briefly at Auburn’s Festival Plaza to light the Christmas tree before continuing across Longley Memorial Bridge up Main Street to Lisbon Street and up Pine Street.

The parade ends at Kennedy Park at about 6:30 p.m. It will be followed by the Lewiston lighting ceremony for Lewiston’s tree and the community menorah.

The bulk of the celebration will be in Lewiston, with Santa Claus, float judging, entertainment, wagon rides, story time, hot chocolate, crafts and snacks. Stillbrook Acres of Gray will give free wagon rides along Park Street in Lewiston.

Snacks at Kennedy Park will be provided by the Salvation Army Canteen. Snacks at Auburn’s Festival Plaza will be provided by Dunkin’ Donuts.

The Auburn Public Library will host arts, crafts and story time from 4 to 6 p.m.

The Lewiston Public Library will host a free interactive ballet presentation at 4:30 p.m.

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: Lewiston Public Works employee Nick Poland uses a bucket truck to wrap lights around the city’s Christmas tree Friday morning in the center of Kennedy Park. The city will host the tree-lighting ceremony Wednesday, Dec. 3.

: Lewiston Public Works employees Nick Poland and T.J. Dupris use bucket trucks to wrap lights around the city’s Christmas tree Friday morning in the center of Kennedy Park. The city will host the tree-lighting ceremony Wednesday, Dec. 3.

: Lewiston Public Works employee T.J. Dupris uses a bucket truck to wrap lights around the city’s Christmas tree Friday morning in the center of Kennedy Park. The city will host the tree-lighting ceremony Wednesday, Dec. 3.