Move Over Nubble, Here Comes Montauk
By Sue Clark on Dec 3, 2008 in News 
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First Lighting a Success
With the premier lighting of Montauk Point Lighthouse a success, with thousands of people lining the shores of Long Island to watch, Nubble Lighthouse (Cape Neddick) in York, Maine, has a serious contender for the most decorated lighthouse for the holidays. Maybe it’s an unfair competition, though, since Montauk stands 110 feet tall, compared to the relatively smaller Cape Neddick, which stands a mere 41 feet in height.
In fact, the Montauk Historical Society, which took on the challenge, had to hire a professional decorating company, Christmas Decor, a division of Looks Great Services of Huntington, NY, for the installation. The company used almost 3,000 high-efficiency, white LED C-9 bulbs for the job, and had to use a bucket truck to reach the highest places.
Lighting the Light Brings Crowds
It was expected that there would be crowds on November 29, but police and organizers were surprised when over 5,000 people showed up for the lighting at 5:15 p.m. EST. Traffic was at a standstill as the roads were jammed, and some people gave up and turned back. Sightseers crowded the point until at least 10 p.m., and caused problems for residents trying to get home. The next night, Sunday, the rains shorted out the lights, unfortunately, but repairs were made, and the lighthouse will be lit every night from 5:00 pm until 11 p.m. The Coast Guard has made mariners aware of the difference in lighting, so anyone looking for a single bright light will not be confused by the thousands of smaller ones.
Nubble Lighthouse Draws Hundreds
The lighting of the Cape Neddick Lighthouse on November 29, which drew far smaller crowds, still is probably one of the most unusual ceremonies. Every year for the past eight, one of the highlights besides Santa arriving by fire truck, is the appearance of a lit Christmas tree from the depths of the Atlantic.
The event kicked off at 5 p.m. with Christmas carols performed by the York High School Chamber Singers. The singers were joined later by local Cub Scouts. At 5:15 p.m., hundreds gathered near the popular Nubble dive site to watch divers from United Divers of New Hampshire lift a Christmas tree out of the water.
The Town of York uses more than 1,500 feet of encased rope lighting, at an annual cost of about $3,000. The town began the task in 1987, the year the lighthouse was automated and the Coast Guard left. The Coast Guard keepers had decorated the lighthouse and other buildings with white lights each December, and local residents wanted to continue and expand the tradition.
And if you don’t want to brave the winds of December in Maine, the Town also lights it up in July, for its Christmas in July celebrations.
Photo Credits:
- Montauk Lighthouse Lighting - Xmas 2008 Originally uploaded by James Pezzella. All rights reserved.
- Annual Lighting of the Nubble (11-29-08) by SSKennel. Some rights reserved.
I’ve included a poll below. Which lighthouse do you prefer? It’s all in fun of course. 
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