Each year, Light Up Night casts a festive glow on downtown Bridgeport. This year – the 10^th anniversary of the city’s holiday tradition - the Associated Businesses of Bridgeport is asking downtown businesses to stretch that holiday glow a little further.

 

“Light Up Night has become our signature event,” said Brad Ford of the ABB. “To make it continue and make it magical for the kids and the community, we are reaching toward community businesses and encouraging them to decorate and create that atmosphere of Christmas and community togetherness.”

 

Friday morning, he and ABB President Mark Bonamico will be visiting businesses in the city’s downtown corridor.

 

“We’ll be sharing with them what we’ve been doing and that Light Up Night is something we’re proud of as a business group and the amount of success we’ve had over the years,” Ford said. “We’ve had some new businesses and this will give us an opportunity to welcome them to the city and invite them to join the ABB.”

 

In its 10 year, Ford said he believes Light Up Night will be especially magical.

 

“Now that the streetscape project stretches all the way down to Fifth Street, the Christmas lights will stretch all the way from City Hall on West Main to Fifth Street,” he said. “I think Bridgeport could really become a destination for a lot of families throughout the Christmas season – just to drive through and see all the lights.”

 

The holiday lights on the city lamp posts are unique to Bridgeport, Ford said.

 

“Weston has their signature snowflakes and we have our shooting stars,” he said. “The more we decorate, the more possible it is to eliminate any dark spots. This also gives the businesses a way to say ‘Merry Christmas’ to several thousand people.”

 

Each year, a couple thousand people attend Light Up Night, which is slated this year for Thursday, Dec. 4. Doing traditional honors of lighting the Christmas tree on the Civic Center lawn will be Bonamico and Bridgeport High School alumni, host of “The Fly Rod Chronicles,” Curtis Fleming.

 

As has become an extra element of excitement, the tree lighting will be followed again this year by fireworks, Ford said.

 

In the past, those treats have included hot dogs, homemade donuts, cookies, candy, hot cider, cocoa and novelties. The event, which also features Santa and Mrs. Claus, will conclude around 8 p.m. 

 

Read Jeff Toquinto's earlier preview HERE. 

 

Editor's Note: Photo by Julie Perine features Sarah Kinney and the newly-lit city tree at last year's Light Up Night.