Economic Development Commission Is Lighting Up Madison

MADISON, CT — Need a little cheering up? Some light in your life? How about 25,000 lights?

The Madison Economic Development Commission will light up Madison’s downtown commercial district with more than 30 lighted trees along Main and Wall streets. The lights will be illuminated before Thanksgiving.

Light Up Madison is underway with the first lights strung Friday. The commission hopes that businesses and residents get involved in spreading the holiday spirit, too.

"As we enter the darker days of the year, we are adding over 25,000 lights to our downtown, illuminating our streets, lighting our stores, and brightening our spirits," commission chair Ryan Duques said, adding he hopes the commission's "efforts act as a catalyst for Madison businesses, organizations, and residents to light up their part of Madison as well. It would be wonderful if businesses and residents throughout town brighten their storefronts homes and yards this holiday and winter season."

To that end, the EDC is working with the Madison Chamber of Commerce to identify sponsors for a few areas in town that could be professionally light. The Madison Jaycees have already stepped up to sponsor. If a business, organization or resident is interested in underwriting a portion of the project, please contact David Anderson, director of economic development at 203-245-5633 or andersond@madisonct.org

“We wanted to create a draw to our beautiful downtown, which we’ve recently invested millions of dollars into, during the holidays and early winter season while respecting social distancing protocols brought on by the ongoing pandemic,” Duques said.

The idea for the Light Up Madison project came from John Mathers, the general manager at the Madison Beach Hotel. In coordination with the Madison Chamber of Commerce, the commission reached out to vendors across Connecticut to submit ideas. The winning bid came from A Gala Affair of Stonington, who partnered with Power Posse Productions of Waterford. The project includes using over two miles of white lights.

First Selectwoman Peggy Lyons encourages folks to "enjoy our beautifully lit up downtown by supporting our local businesses through this difficult time."

"Thank you to the Economic Development Commission and the Chamber of Commerce for creating such an uplifting atmosphere for shopping and dining outdoors as we enter the holiday season," she said.

The commission, which did not spend its budget on tourism initiatives this year due to the pandemic voted to fund the project at its September meeting.

Watch for updates on Patch and on the EDC website.