NH town needs last minute spark to save annual Christmas lighting tradition

EXETER, N.H. — A historic holiday lighting celebration in a New Hampshire town threatened by safety concerns may be saved at the last minute.

Town officials say they are working with a utility company to try and keep the lights on for the Exeter’s annual event.

For 100 years, residents have gathered at the heart of Exeter's downtown to honor the passage of a holiday tradition they say is essential to the fabric of their town.

Every November, hundreds of volunteers wrap trees in lights and string fresh evergreen branches that crisscross the downtown streets.

The holiday lighting and parade that follow are what every child here dreams about.

“She did enjoy that a lot, the kids of course enjoy all the candy that gets thrown at them too, lots of memories,” parent Alysia Bouchard said.

But all that cheer stands to be snuffed out after the town’s energy provider, Unitil, told officials earlier this month that wiring on the utility poles downtown is aged and fraying; and holiday lights would be too dangerous.

“It's an old system, old wiring and it's a safety issue…and we all truly understood that,” holiday committee chair Beth Dupell said.

She was crushed to tell town leaders Monday night the streets would remain dark this Christmas.

But there was a glimmer of hope Tuesday.

“The committee members said they wanted to see a miracle and who doesn't want to help make a miracle happen?” Unitil representative Alec O’Meara said.

The spokesperson told FOX25 the company hopes to work with the town to do emergency repairs for a temporary lighting fix.

“I don't think anyone involved wanted to see the lights gone, I think that's fair to say,” O’Meara said.

Dupell says she knows it could be long shot, but even she's not too old to believe in a bit of Christmas magic.

“Probably a minor miracle, but one that this town really needs. It needs to celebrate, bring us back together again,” said Dupell.

Town officials say if the repairs begin Wednesday, they could delay the lighting for a day or two, but hope they will be able to save the celebration.

Cox Media Group