Cambridge Water Tower Lights - A Beacon for the Community
It may have been a balmy 39 degrees outside, but the crowd still enjoyed the warmth of the hot cocoa provided by Cambridge FFA at the Water Tower Lighting Ceremony on Sunday, December 7.
The countdown began as the crowd chanted “Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five…” and for the sixth time, since December 2020, the Cambridge water tower was lit and the bells of First Baptist Church of Cambridge chimed, heralding the start of the Christmas season.
What started as a way to bring a beacon of hope to the community of Cambridge during the Covid-19 pandemic, has grown into an annual tradition that seems like it has been around forever. It’s hard to believe it all began as a conversation on Facebook.
“We needed something to lighten the mood,” said event organizer and Cambridge resident Sara Kindall. Together with Megan Warren, whom Kindall affectionately calls her “partner in crime,” Kindall enlisted the support of the Cambridge Commercial Club and the City of Cambridge to make the annual Water Tower lighting a reality.
“It was a collaborative effort,” said Kindall. Transforming the water tower into a sparkling pillar of lights took a lot of determination and expertise.
“It’s an engineering feat,” said Kindall. Each year, certified climbers perform safety checks and maintenance on the lights. Though the lights are switched on in December, just in time for the holiday season, Kindall is always reluctant to see the water tower return to its usual self.
“I leave the lights on until Valentine’s Day,” she said.
On Sunday night, the lighting ceremony concluded with a long line of children getting their photos taken with Santa Claus.
The lighting of the Cambridge water tower, an idea which started with the simple desire to bring some joy to the community of Cambridge during a difficult time, has blossomed into an event that kicks off the holiday season with the laughter and well wishes of neighbors.
“We were the dreamers,” said Kindall. “We just wanted something magical.”
