SING WE NOW OF CHRISTMAS. Carolers are seen here, gathering in Perkins Cove during Christmas by the Sea to ring in the season with song and celebration.
Photo by Tori Rasche
Amelia Burley, age 5, of York, tells Santa her heart's desire at the Ogunquit Fire Station on Dec. 8.
Photo by Jessey Taylor
The Blacksmith Mall sponsored this one-horse open sleigh in Ogunquit's Christmas Parade.
Photo by Jessey Taylor
Drummers from the Wells Warriors Marching Band kept up the beat in Ogunquit's Christmas Parade.
Photo by Jessey Taylor
Fire Chief Ed Smith and members of the Ogunquit Color Guard, including Jeff Smith, Chris Reed and Ronnie Rounds, lead the parade out of the Main Beach parking during Ogunquit's Christmas by the Sea celebration on Dec. 8.
Photo by Jessey Taylor
"Together, we're making sure the Ogunquit Christmas spirit doesn't sour." - Leanne Cusimano
OGUNQUIT - From beach bonfire to young hearts' desires, Ogunquit's 21st Annual Christmas by the Sea offered something for everyone.
The event kicked off on Friday, Dec. 7, and continued throughout the weekend, attracting hundreds from near and far into the small seaside town.
A bonfire on Ogunquit's Main Beach commenced the weekend's festivities. Nearly 100 people gathered around the bonfire and sang Christmas carols while warming their hands and hearts in front of the fire's warm glow.
However, it wasn't long until the Fire Department was called to extinguish the flames of festivity, which had quickly climbed out of control. A strong wind that fanned the flames and carried hot embers into the crowd and parking lot was partly to blame for the early demise of the bonfire. A change in location from the bonfire's usual spot further out on the point and too much wood were other reasons things didn't go as planned, said Ogunquit Fire Chief Ed Smith.
"The fire was too big and it had to be put out for safety reasons," explained Smith. "There were a lot of hot embers flying everywhere and we didn't want anyone to get hurt."
Some members of the crowd booed as the flames were snuffed out, but for the most part the group took the news with a grain of salt and didn't let the firemen's hoses dampen their spirits.
The weekend's festivities continued the next morning with various activities throughout town including, but not limited to, hayrides, craft shows, bake sales and children's Christmas plays. These events were sponsored not by the town but by individual businesses within the community.
Years ago the town was financially responsible for the event, but in 1999 voters chose to discontinue the funding for Christmas by the Sea. When this happened, a handful of citizens decided they wouldn't let the event die without a fight and the Village Spirit Committee was born. The committee pulled together resources from local organizations and businesses to keep the spirit of Christmas alive in Ogunquit.
"Together we're making sure the Ogunquit Christmas spirit doesn't sour," said Leanne Cusimano of the committee.
Raspberri's Restaurant sponsored a children's ornament-making activity at the Ogunquit Baptist Church where families could be seen working together to create colorful ornaments for their Christmas trees. The Scicchitano family from Pennsylvania, who have attended Ogunquit's Christmas by the Sea for the last 10 years, was but one of a dozen families that participated in the ornament-making event.
"We love the small-town feeling of Ogunquit," said Joey Scicchitano. "It's our home away from home."
One of the biggest Christmas by the Sea attractions was the 18th Annual Chowder Tasting Competition. This year, a chocolate dessert competition added a sweet new twist to the event. Clay Hill Farm took first place in the chowder competition and Sundaes at the Beach was first place in the chocolate dessert competition.
Clay Hill Farm also won big points for bringing Santa to town. A long line could be seen forming outside the door of the Ogunquit Fire Station as people congregated to have their pictures taken with Santa Claus. For some, it was one of the first opportunities to become better acquainted with Santa.
"Santa said chocolate cookies are his favorite, so we better make him some this year!" cried five-year-old Amelia Burley of York as she ran back to her parents to tell them all about her encounter with Santa.
For others, this meeting with Santa was but one of many. Mary Kinsey came all the way from Rhode Island with her Purple Hatter friends to see Santa.
"This certainly isn't the first time I've met Santa," said Kinsey, "but it kind of feels like it because I've just entered my second childhood!"
The York Independent was unable to reach Santa for comment; however, his Chief Executive Elf said, "Santa told me that he loves to visit Ogunquit because it's a small town with big spirit!"
 Austin St. Pierre, age 10, visiting Ogunquit from Rhode Island, makes Christmas ornaments at the Ogunquit Baptist Church during the Christmas by the Sea festival on Dec. 8. Photo by Jessey Taylor |  The Cycling Murrays, a family from Cambridge, Mass., appeared in the Christmas by the Sea Parade in Ogunquit on Dec. 8. Photo by Jessey Taylor |
 The Wells Warriors Marching Band provides a toe-tapping beat for Ogunquit's Christmas Parade on Dec. 8. Photo by Jessey Taylor |  A crowd of nearly 100 people gathered to warm their hands and hearts by the bonfire at Ogunquit’s Christmas by the Sea. Photo by Jessey Taylor |
