Let that festive holiday mood set in!

A 25-foot tall spruce tree now stands in front of the main entrance of Ellsworth City Hall and we can't wait for the big night when it's officially lit up for the holiday season.

Make plans to stop by for the Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Saturday, November 27, at 5 p.m.  The 2021 version of Ellsworth's holiday tree is much bigger than the one previously at S.K. Whiting Park by the crossroads, and it's expected to have up to 8,000 lights on it. This year's theme is a Victorian Christmas.

The day of the tree lighting is also "Small Business Saturday", and all the downtown shops will be festive as well and open for business. Shoppers can stop by the tree lighting ceremony, join in a few carols and enjoy some hot chocolate.

Then, one week later on Saturday, December 4, it's the 41st annual Downtown Ellsworth Christmas Parade. This year's theme is "A Downeast Christmas" and it steps off at 11 from upper Main Street, and then will make its way through the downtown area and then left onto State Street before ending at Knowlton Park.

Thelma Beal, who has organized the annual parade for many years will be this year's grand marshall. Chances are it may be streamed on the city's YouTube and Facebook pages.

There's plenty of holly jolly happenings this holiday season in Ellsworth along with the tree lighting ceremony and the parade, including breakfast with Santa at the Moore Community Center on Saturday, December 11 at 8 a.m.  Then there's a city-wide "ugly sweater day" happening on the 17th.

For a full listing of events check out ChristmasInEllsworth.com.

See How Much Ellsworth's Population Has Grown Over The Years

While Ellsworth is the biggest city in the state when it comes to land, measuring in at almost 93 square miles, its current population of 8,399 residents ranks it #34, right behind Cumberland and before Buxton.

Here's a look at how the population in Ellsworth has grown over the past 221 years.

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