This Week in Lincolnville: A Christmas tradition continues

celebrate light, warmth, and joy against the darkness

Sun, 11/30/2025 - 4:53pm

Ed O’Brien

The Beach Bonfire. (Photo courtesy of Andy Young)

It is the first Saturday in December. The early dusk is settling in, and in the middle of the sand of Lincolnville Beach sits a massive structure: a tangle of pine boughs built around a core of wooden pallets scavenged or generously donated by local businesses. People begin to gather around, from the old to the very young, encircling as the fire thrust into the heart of the pile begins to catch. Flames shoot up into the darkening sky, the circle backs away from the burst of heat, and the people begin to sing. Carols — those worthy of a Christmas Eve church season, and those of more secular Christmases — ring out.

At 4:15 p.m., the singing stops and there is a countdown. The massive pine that grows in front of the beach shines with the light of hundreds of little electric lights. A few minutes later, a third bright source of light arrives, a firetruck, horn blasting and red strobes reflecting off the business strip. Pulling to the parking lot before a excited group of Lincolnville children, out steps a familiar old man in a fur lined red suit.

Later, many will gather at the old schoolhouse just up the road for cookies or cream cheese and olive sandwiches, and a more individual meeting with the man in red, that avatar of the joy that is Christmas.

Christmas is old, and has gone by many other names over the centuries. With all due respect to Christians, it certainly didn’t get its start with the birth of Jesus, but to my amateur theological thought process, it is a worthy co-opting of the celebration.

Taking place around the winter solstice, the longest night of the year, it is a time to celebrate the sun’s return, to take advantage of the harvest plenty before the lean months still ahead. The heat and warmth of fire, the green of the pine when the rest of the trees and the fields are brown and sleeping. A time of hope, to be joyful in the knowledge that light and life and warmth will return to the land.

I have always felt that Lincolnville’s way to welcome the Christmas season just feels right. It is simple, a little bit wild, and always haphazardly planned. We need a tree to light, a pile of wood to burn, and a bunch of people to come out into the cold together and sing.

As things grew, the fire got larger, the singing got louder, the event even attracted Old Saint Nick himself, who cannot resist displays of joy- though Andy Young believes that the big guy is drawn in by the scent of the slow roasted pork he always barbecues on the first Saturday in December.

The Lincolnville Historical Society Christmas Party always coincides with the fire and tree lighting, for those who take the short walk up from the beach to the schoolhouse at 33 Beach Road. If you haven’t yet, now is your chance to see all the renovations that have taken place in that old building.

As I have written before, there has been some doubt about whether the tradition would be able to carry on. Taking place on town land, there is the question of liability. We were not going to let this stop us, but wanted to keep things legal.

Thanks to donations from generous townspeople, much of which was gathered in the time-honored tradition of a coffee can at the checkout of local businesses, funds have been raised to form a non-profit organization, obtain one-time liability insurance, and even to honor our neglaected commitment to Camden-Rockport’s Christmas by the Sea, for publicizing our event in their materials, which has no doubt drawn attention to our quaint little celebration.

Beach Bonfire is officially a non profit, 501-3c corporation. We even have a board. Andy Young has been elected president, Tracee O’Brien offered her services as treasurer, and myself, Ed O’Brien, relegated to secretary. Sandy Lehman and Wade Graham have been instrumental in spearheading the fundraising that allowed this to all come together so quickly.

Special thanks to all the businesses that have supported this operation, I hope to have a comprehensive list next week.

Saturday morning around 10 a.m., members of Scout Troop 200 and other volunteers will begin building the bonfire, with pallets donated by Viking Lumber and other townspeople. It will be lit around 3:30, so be there, bundled up and ready to sing around 4. 4:15 the tree will officially be lit, and we can expect Santa and an elven helper or two to arrive by 4:30. The Lincolnville Historical Society party will be from 4 to 6 and Santa will head up there after he has greeted the people at the beach.

Come help Lincolnville celebrate light, warmth, and joy against the darkness.

Happy Trails

If you have not yet heard there is a new place to hang out in town, Happy Trails at Camp Deforest, formerly the Ducktrap Motel. They are open daily at noon, until 8 p.m., staying open until 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. They have wine and beer, as well as a variety of gourmet hot dogs (including vegetarian) and campfire snacks. You can even rent space around one of their outdoor fire pits which they will set up, light and put out for you. Another way cope with the early nightfall this time of year and spend some time with your friends and neighbors.

Condolences

To the family of John Richards, Sr., a Lincolnville icon. I was taken to LCS everyday onboard on of the Richards Bus Company school buses, usually driven by his wife, the late Sheryl Richards. Love to Jodi and John Jr. and all his family.

Thanksgiving is over, and I suppose you can start putting up your Christmas Decorations, if you celebrate. I am sure you have all waited.

I look forward to seeing many of you at the bonfire, even if you do not see me. As always, try to keep your hearts warm even as it is cold outside. Darkness never lasts forever, and it is always followed by light.

Municipal Calendar

Monday, December 1

School Committee, 6 p.m. LCS

Select Board, Priorities Workshop, 6 p.m. Town Office

Tuesday, December 2

Library open 3-6 p.m. 208 Main Street

AA Meeting 12:15 p.m., Community Building, 18 Searsmont Road

Wednesday, December 3

Library Open, 2-5 p.m., 208 Main Street

Planning Board Workshop/Training, 6 p.m., LCS

Comprehensive Plan Review Committee, 6 p.m. Town Office

Thursday, December 4