MARITIME HOLIDAY TREE 2021

Shortly after Thanksgiving, you will begin to see the shape of a tree erected on the back lawn of the Custom House. Many thanks to our presenting sponsor, the Newburyport Bank for supporting our efforts. This Maritime Tree, made from rope rigging will display life rings of various sizes as a way of tying our community together.  Replica boat life rings are available to all students, non-profits, businesses, and families of the greater Newburyport Community to decorate, then return to hang on the tree. 

Finneran & Nicholson, P.C. sponsored 400 students to decorate small rings at the Francis T. Bresnahan Elementary School, the River Valley Charter School and the Immaculate Conception School, who are participating as part of their art project.   There are three sizes of rings for purchase online starting Nov. 4^th at buyalifering.com and at the CHMM Museum Store when we are open.

These ornamental life rings can be decorated with anything that will sustain the weather; paint, ribbons, wood – anything your imagination sparks to Ring in the Holidays.    Our goal is to bring everyone together in a safe manner yet still enjoy the spirit of this community.  What sets this fundraiser apart is the many other non-profit cultural organizations have agreed to join CHMM and participate in their own way.  The list of participants is growing:

• Newburyport Choral Society – Caroling beginning at 4:45 pm before the Tree Lighting at 5:30 pm on December 3rd
• Newburyport Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)– Invitation Night December 10th, from 6 pm – 9 pm, serving hot chocolate & selling of Newburyport Spiritwear
• The Salvation Army, Newburyport Corps.– Invitation Night December 17th, from 6 pm – 9 pm – hot chocolate & mitten drive
• Lowell’s Boat Shop is providing a dingy to explore and makes a great photo
• Opportunity Works will be creating the tree topper
• The Newburyport Art Association will have a few sculptures sprinkled on the lawn*Yankee Homecoming will have a food collection box available
• Yankee Homecoming – food donation bin
• Museum of Old Newbury – sign
• Newburyport Youth Services
• Newburyport Arts Collective
• YMCA – sign
• Newburyport Horticultural Society – sign
• Community Service of Newburyport – sign

The tree will be lit by Fusion Blue Productions. Wing Walker Marketing has donated their time and expertise and a special thanks to 4Seasons Heating and Air Conditioning for participating again, as well as Iron Tree, Bentley’s Real Estate, and the Institution for Savings, all generous sponsors. It’s never too late to purchase a life ring and participate in the festivities! Go to BUYALIFERING.COM