Kennebunkport voters say town should cover some Christmas Prelude costs
Kennebunkport Voters Signal Support for Christmas Prelude Funding in Nonbinding Ballot Measure
Kennebunkport residents sent a clear message Tuesday that they want the town to continue financially supporting the annual Christmas Prelude celebration, though the path forward remains complicated by an overlooked decades-old ordinance.
In a nonbinding ballot question, voters were asked to weigh in on the future of municipal funding for the beloved seasonal event, which draws thousands of visitors to the coastal community each December. The results showed 759 residents favoring keeping the town's financial commitment at its current level of no more than $35,000 annually, while 411 voters supported cutting that amount in half. Another 680 residents indicated the town should eliminate its funding contribution entirely.
The vote was triggered earlier this year when town officials discovered a 40-year-old ordinance that appears to prohibit municipalities from covering costs for mass gathering events organized by nonprofits and other non-governmental entities. The Christmas Prelude is organized by the Kennebunkport Business Association, a nonprofit organization.
For years, the town has covered a portion of the event's expenses, primarily for security services. The ordinance's discovery forced officials to confront a fundamental question about the town's financial obligations to the celebration.
At a community forum held last week, residents expressed divergent views on the matter. Some locals voiced concerns that the event has grown increasingly commercialized and suggested the town should not bear costs for an attraction that draws primarily out-of-town visitors.
"Why should we pay for out-of-town people to come enjoy Prelude?" one resident asked at the forum.
Others countered that towns throughout Maine routinely fund their own holiday celebrations, and Kennebunkport should be no exception.
"Every other town pays for their Christmas celebration," another resident remarked. "Why wouldn't Kennebunkport?"
Tina Gordon, president of the Kennebunkport Business Association, said the organization was grateful for the community's backing.
"This result demonstrates that our community recognizes the importance of this cherished event and is willing to invest in its continued success," Gordon said in a statement. "We thank everyone for the strong vote of confidence in Christmas Prelude, our local nonprofits, and the traditions that make Kennebunkport such a special place to live, work, and visit."
The Selectboard will now use Tuesday's results to craft language for a binding referendum that voters will decide in November. That vote is expected to include a question about whether to amend the existing ordinance to explicitly allow town funding for events like Prelude.
Tuesday's election also featured a race for a Selectboard seat. Incumbent Mary Beth Gilbert secured reelection with 1,097 votes, defeating challenger Andrew Welch, who received 717 votes. Gilbert could not be reached for comment Tuesday evening.
The Christmas Prelude, which features the town's iconic tree lighting in Dock Square along with a weekend of festive activities, has been a staple of the community's holiday season for decades. The event draws visitors from across the region and serves as an important economic driver for local businesses.
