While few that travel along Main Street in Bridgeport are thrilled to see traffic delays of any nature, the ones that began Monday and could continue for the next several days will likely receive less disdain than other stoppages. And the reason for that is one of a festive variety.

 

Workers with Bridgeport’s Parks and Recreation Department have begun the process of turning the Main Street corridor, as well as other sections of the city, into a holiday fiesta. P&R Director Don Burton said the beginning phases of a multi-week campaign to decorate the city with thousands of dollars in Christmas lights and other objects is already in full swing.

 

“If you’ve come through town during the day you’ve probably noticed our staff putting up Main Street decorations,” said Burton. “We know it causes some traffic delays and minor interruptions, but we’re using flaggers to keep that to as minimal as possible. Most people, once they see what we’re doing, don’t seem to mind too much.”

 

Burton said the entire stock of Bridgeport Christmas decorations takes roughly two weeks to put up. However, that’s not just the decorations you will see adorning the light poles and other fixtures on Main Street.

 

“We decorate multiple city buildings, including the (Benedum) Civic Center and the library,” said Burton. “We also decorate fire department, the bus stop building across from the Civic Center and do some decorating at City Park.”

 

Parks and Recreation staff has also started the initial phase of decorating inside the historic Main Street Benedum Civic Center facility. Right now, Burton said his crews are focusing solely on the holiday decorations.

 

“That is the primary task; actually barring something that arises that we can’t control it’s the only task,” said Burton. “We’re no longer cutting grass or handling the summer and fall maintenance chores so this is what we’re transitioning to.”

 

Part of the time frame needed for the work involves the testing of the lights as they’re put up. Burton said each unit is tested and those with bulbs that are burned out are replaced.

 

“It’s better to do that now than get it up and have to come back and check everything,” said Burton. “We have five guys dedicated to getting this done and making our Main Street corridor and our other buildings looks as good as they can for the holidays.”

 

The large amount of decorations is hauled from the city storage building across from the former Ace Hardware building. Burton said all the decorations, as well as the massive Christmas tree, will be in place well before the Dec. 4 Light Up Night festivities.