PORTLAND, Maine — Hundreds gathered Friday in Monument Square in Portland for the city's annual tree-lighting ceremony.
The crowd grew in numbers and energy as the time drew closer to 4:30 p.m., when the 40-foot spruce came to life in a burst of bright light.
“I think this is a nice way for everyone to be connected,” Jody Martin, who was attending her third lighting, said. “I thought it would be great to come out here to start the Christmas season, the holiday season, here in Portland."
The tree, which was harvested off Hartley Street earlier this month, has drawn some heated criticism in the community for its lean shape and sparse branches.
“That is without a doubt the worst looking tree ever presented to Portland. I would be embarrassed to put it up," one commenter wrote on the city's Facebook page.
“Portland please to better,” another wrote.
But organizers of Friday's event said they were looking on the bright side.
“It’s a Charlie Brown tree, and everyone needs a bit of love!” Dawn Homa of Portland Downtown, the nonprofit hosting the lighting, said. “Once it's lit, it will do what it needs to do.”
The celebration featured several events, including performances by Portland Ballet, the Casco Bay Wind Symphony, and "American Idol" singer Julia Gagnon. Portland Mayor Mark Dion also delivered remarks at the event.
“This is peak,” Homa said, “Next year will be hard to top it.”
Few seemed disappointed as the evening drew to a close.
“It's just got a good atmosphere,” Caroline Estes, who grew up in Dublin, Ireland, added.
Seeing the lighting reminded Estes her youth.
“It brings you back to when you were a kid," she said. "My dad used to take us into the city center every Christmas Eve to see everything lit up, when all the stores were closed. Just childhood memories.”
Portland isn't the only community in Maine holding a tree-lighting ceremony this season. Augusta plans to host an event Saturday, Nov. 30, and South Portland has scheduled an event the following Friday, Dec. 6.