Kennebunkport Select Board finalizes proposal to resume funding of Christmas Prelude
Kennebunkport Moves to Secure Christmas Prelude Funding with November Ballot Measure
Kennebunkport residents will have the final say in November on whether the town can officially contribute to Christmas Prelude after the Select Board unanimously approved the wording of a proposed ordinance amendment Thursday night.
The amendment, if passed by voters, would authorize the town to cover up to half of the municipal costs associated with the beloved holiday celebration. Specific services eligible for town funding include wages for town employees handling setup, parking, security and cleanup operations, as well as costs for town vehicles, equipment, water, electricity and other utilities.
The language approved by the board targets three key components of Prelude: the Cape Porpoise tree lighting ceremonies, one of the Dock Square tree lightings, and one parade during the winter event. The amendment must still receive approval from the town attorney before the Select Board officially signs the warrant to place the matter before voters.
Two separate questions will appear on the November ballot as items four and five. The first question asks voters to approve the amendment itself, granting the town the authority to contribute municipal funds to Prelude. The second question seeks immediate approval for $17,500 from the current town budget to support this year's celebration.
Funding for the event has sparked considerable debate in the community. Earlier this year, residents discovered an existing ordinance actually prohibits the town from contributing any municipal funds to Prelude—despite the town having covered some costs for years. In response, the Select Board placed a nonbinding question before voters in June to gauge community sentiment.
That poll revealed strong support for continued funding, with approximately 63 percent of voters favoring some level of town contribution. Of those, 759 residents supported funding up to $35,000, while 411 supported a maximum of $17,500. The remaining 37 percent—680 voters—expressed preference for eliminating funding entirely.
Board members designed the current amendment to find middle ground, hoping the compromise approach will improve chances of passage in November. The Select Board has indicated plans to revisit the amendment language in June 2027 to evaluate whether adjustments are needed.
Christmas Prelude, organized by the Kennebunkport Business Association, ranks among the nation's largest Christmas celebrations. The two-week event features tree lightings, parades and the iconic arrival of Santa Claus by lobster boat.
Tina Hewett-Gordon, president of the KBA, expressed appreciation for the board's efforts and signaled the association's commitment to working with the town.
"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.
Following Thursday's unanimous vote, Select Board Chair Mary Beth Gilbert showed visible relief, jokingly asking whether confetti or music might be in order to mark the occasion.
