Lobster trap Christmas tree overlooks Nubble (Cape Neddick) Lighthouse in a snowstorm in Maine.
The Tradition of Building Lobster Trap Holiday Trees Near Lighthouses on New England’s Seacoast
Kennebunk Lobster Trap Tree in Maine
Over the past decade, a new tradition has sprouted along the New England seacoast. Coastal communities are engaged in friendly competition in building holiday Christmas trees made of either old-fashioned wooden lobster traps and fishing gear or wireframe lobster traps and gear. Some neighborhoods boast having the tallest buildings, while others have the most decorative ones. Most are happy to create a local, joyous tourist site, honoring those who make a living by the sea. Decorated traps are erected into a large, familiar conical shape, and most are lit at night for visitors to enjoy.
Gloucester Holiday Tree in Massachusetts
The tradition is believed to have started in 2001 at America’s oldest fishing port, Gloucester, Massachusetts. The story describes a local shopkeeper who is frustrated that Main Street has no holiday display. She noticed a tiny lobster trap tree in someone’s yard and gathered community members to erect a large lobster trap tree downtown. The entire community came together on this project, as local lobstermen donated over 350 traps, while many fishermen contributed buoys painted red for the season by local schoolchildren. The traps are stacked and decorated by local volunteers, and even the fire department was involved in putting on the star with their hook and ladder truck.
When the city of Rockland, Maine, known as the lobster capital of the world, heard about this event, they decided to create their own version of a “lobster trap tree” holiday in 2003. For the tree, they decided to use lobster pots as well. They hired Brooks Trap Mill in nearby Thomaston to build and supply over 150 colored lobster traps, which were specifically designed for the 30-foot tree. The tree is decorated with nearly 500 feet of garland and features an 8-foot fiberglass lobster placed on top. Most of the tree assembly, which is lit from inside, not from lights draped on the outside, is done with the help of local Coast Guard volunteers. Each year, Rockland’s ceremony involves Santa Claus lighting the tree with help from the winner of the annual Maine Lobster Festival Sea Goddess pageant.
The town of Beals Island, Maine, boasts the tallest lobster trap holiday tree, at 60 feet in height, located near the Moosabec Reach from Jonesport. This tree consists of nearly 1,400 wireframe traps.
Each holiday season, the town of York, in Maine, has a “Lighting of the Nubble” ceremony where Cape Neddick Lighthouse, often referred to as Nubble Light, is decorated and remains lit each night during the holiday season. Visitors will find a unique wooden lobster trap tree has also been erected in the nearby Fox’s Lobster House restaurant over the past few years. Visitors can now view the lit Christmas lobster trap tree with the lighted Nubble lighthouse in the background.
Decorated and lighted lobster trap tree with Nubble (Cape Neddick) Light in the background.
Like countless other communities across the country, giant Christmas trees are erected in public gathering spots to provide area residents with a place to come together and celebrate the holidays. Many of New England’s coastal fishing communities are now building these lobster trap trees instead of using actual trees as a new tradition.
Gloucester Holiday Menorah in Massachusetts.
Gloucester has taken the experience a step further. It has recently involved the Jewish community in celebrating the holiday spirit by erecting the first “lobster trap Menorah,” outside Temple Ahavat Achim. The 14-foot-tall, 20-foot-wide menorah comprises 22 lobster traps, nine buoys representing the candles, and plenty of decorated lights. No matter what your religious faith is, happy holidays to everyone, and have a safe and fruitful new year.
Enjoy!
Allan Wood
Books to Explore
New England’s Haunted Lighthouses
New England’s Haunted Lighthouses:
Ghostly Legends and Maritime Mysteries
Uncover the mysteries of New England’s haunted lighthouses! Uncover ghostly tales of lingering keepers, victims of misfortune or local shipwrecks, lost souls, ghost ships, and more. Many of these accounts begin with actual historical events that later give rise to unexplained incidents. Immerse yourself in the tales associated with these iconic beacons!
The Rise and Demise of the Largest Sailing Ships
The Rise and Demise of the Largest Sailing Ships:
Stories of the Six and Seven-Masted Coal Schooners of New England
In the early 1900s, New England shipbuilders constructed the world’s largest sailing ships amid social and political reforms. These giants were the ten original six-masted coal schooners and one colossal seven-masted vessel, built to carry massive quantities of coal and building supplies, and measured longer than a football field! This self-published book, rich in color and vintage images, showcases the historical accounts that accompanied these mighty ships.
Available also from bookstores in paperback, hardcover, and as an eBook for all devices.
Book – Lighthouses and Coastal Attractions in Southern New England: Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts
Lighthouses and Coastal Attractions of Southern New England:
Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts.
This 300-page book provides memorable human interest stories from each of the 92 lighthouses. You can explore plenty of indoor and outdoor coastal attractions, including whale-watching excursions, lighthouse tours, windjammer sailing tours, parks, museums, and even lighthouses where you can stay overnight. You’ll also find plenty of stories of hauntings around lighthouses.
Book – Lighthouses and Coastal Attractions in Northern New England: New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont
Lighthouses and Coastal Attractions of Northern New England:
New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont.
This 300-page book provides memorable human interest stories from each of the 76 lighthouses. It also describes and provides contact info for plenty of indoor and outdoor coastal attractions and tours. These include whale watching, lighthouse tours, unique parks, museums, and lighthouses where you can stay overnight. There are also stories of haunted lighthouses in these regions.
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American Lighthouse Foundation
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