CAMDEN — Members of the Camden Garden Club gathered this October to create the bows for the downtown Camden lamppost wreaths. The red felt bows will adorn the nearly 100 balsam wreaths that will hang on the streets of Camden throughout the holiday season in 2022. 

This year will be the 51st year that the Club has provided decorated wreaths for the town of Camden. Since the 1950s, the Club has provided holiday decorations for the town. The tradition of fresh balsam wreaths adorned with puffy red bows and lights began in 1971.

The bows were handcrafted from scratch starting with spools of durable felted red crimson ribbon. Before the bow making workshop, the lengths of ribbon are painstakingly measured and cut. Club members then follow a tried-and-true template design to create dozens of identical bows that will stand up to the volatile Midcoast weather. The decorated wreaths must last for the two months they will be hanging on display downtown. 

The bows will be added to fresh balsam wreaths hung with warm white lights. Then, the Town of Camden will hang them downtown where they will be plugged into the municipal lampposts so that they can be illuminated at night. 

Since 1915, the Club has provided thousands of blooming flower baskets and lighted, decorated wreaths that adorn the downtown lampposts seasonally, adding to the magic of Camden. Making the bows for the wreaths is just one of the many services the Camden Garden Club provides to the town.

The oldest garden club in Maine, the Camden Garden Club cultivates the art of gardening to its fullest sense, develops and preserves beauty in and around Camden, and promotes civic improvements, education, and conservation of natural resources. For more information on the Club and its activities visit camdengardenclub.org.