Kennebunkport Select Board finalizes proposal to resume funding of Christmas Prelude
Santa and Mrs. Claus wave back at people standing on the Mathew J. Lanigan Bridge in Kennebunkport during 2024's Christmas Prelude. (Sofia Aldinio/Staff Photographer)
The Kennebunkport Select Board voted unanimously Thursday night to approve the language for a proposed ordinance amendment that would allow the town to cover half the municipal cost of Christmas Prelude.
If approved by voters in November, the amendment would establish the town’s ability to support a portion of Prelude’s costs, covering municipal services for the Cape Porpoise tree lighting ceremonies, one of the Dock Square tree lightings and one of the parades.
Municipal services that could be covered would include wages for town employees working on setup, parking, security and cleanup; costs associated with use of town vehicles and equipment; and water, electric and other utility fees.
Now, the language goes before the town attorney for approval before the board officially signs the warrant to place the matter on the November ballot.
Voters are expected to decide on two questions: first, whether to enact the amendment giving the town the ability to pay for a portion of Prelude, and second, whether to approve $17,500 from the town’s budget toward this year’s Prelude.
The questions are labeled as questions four and five on the town warrant for November and will include notes of explanations for voters.
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Question four asks voters whether or not the amendment should pass, offering a brief explanation and the chance to view the full amendment language at the Town Clerk’s Office.
One portion of the amendment reads, “the following events shall be deemed a mass gathering and a special event which may be supported by the provision of all or a portion of necessary municipal services by the Town,” before listing: “The annual Dock Square tree lighting, Cape Porpoise tree lighting and one parade conducted during Winter Prelude.”
Kennebunkport Selectboard Packet 08-13-2026 – Mass Gathering Amendment by Maine Trust For Local News
Question five gives voters the choice to approve $17,500 of municipal spending to the three events.
Funding for Christmas Prelude has been at the heart of community discussions since a group of residents this spring uncovered an ordinance that prohibits the town from contributing any municipal funds to the event, even though the town had been covering some costs for years.
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In June, the town put a nonbinding question to voters, asking how much — if anything — the town should contribute. About 63% of voters said they supported at least some town funding, with 759 saying said town should cover up to $35,000, while another 411 said it should be up to half that amount. The remaining 680 voters, or 37%, said funding should be cut altogether.
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Due to the close margins of that vote, the Select Board decided to draft amendment language that would meet somewhere in the middle, with some board members saying they felt it gave the amendment the best chance of passing come November.
The board has said it plans to revisit possible language changes in June 2027, but for now, the priority was sorting out funding for this year’s event.
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Put on by the Kennebunkport Business Association, Christmas Prelude is one of the nation’s largest Christmas celebrations. Highlights of the two-week event include tree lightings, parades and Santa’s arrival via lobster boat.
The town has long covered municipal costs for the event, including security.
Tina Hewett-Gordon, president of the KBA, said the group appreciates the Select Board’s support of Prelude and flexibility in regards to language changes.
“We’re committed to working collaboratively with the town to make this year’s event a success, and it is our hope that voters will support the ballot items in November so that we can continue the community tradition,” Hewett-Gordon said.
When the final amendment language was approved Thursday night, Select Board Chair Mary Beth Gilbert seemed relieved.
“Should there be confetti or music or something?” she asked with a smile.
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Tagged: christmas, community event, local elections
Abigail is a community reporter for Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Sanford, and Wells. She recently moved up to Maine from Connecticut after getting her bachelor’s degree in English/Journalism at the University. More by Abigail Driscoll
