On November 3rd and 10th, members of the Camden Garden Club gathered at the American Legion Hall to make bows and assemble the fresh balsam wreaths now lining Elm and Main Streets lampposts in Camden this holiday season. 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 and this year marks its 50th year.
Bow assembly in progress November 3rd
Bows ready for wreath assembly the following week
The Club has purchased the fresh balsam fir wreaths from Evergreen Farms in Damariscotta for over seven years using funds raised during the Club’s Annual Garden Tour. Members attending the consecutive Wednesday work sessions contributed over 100 volunteer hours to handcraft red velvet bows and wire multiple strings of lights to the wreaths. The Camden Public Works Department installed the wreaths on November 10th, shortly after the Club assembled all 98 wreaths currently on display in downtown Camden.
Two strings of lights are prepared before wiring on the wreaths
Wiring the light circles
Wreaths ready to be hung on the downtown Camden lampposts
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 the season.
Camden Public Works Department hang decorated wreaths on Elm and Main Street lampposts