ELLSWORTH — Heart of Ellsworth is proud to announce that Versant Power has once again partnered to brighten the downtown district with a vibrant display of handcrafted Holiday Light Spheres. The installation will officially turn on as part of the City of Ellsworth tree lighting festivities on Saturday, Dec. 6. This year the display expands beyond Merrill Park and continues down Franklin Street to Main Street and the Franklin Street Parklet.
The spheres, built by community members during the free public workshop in October, glow in hues of blue, purple, yellow, green and white. These colors were intentionally selected to feel festive for the holiday season while remaining welcoming well into the winter months. The handmade quality of the spheres adds warmth and personality at a time of year when downtown benefits from extra vibrancy and charm.
Thanks to generous sponsorship from Versant Power, the workshop led by Heart of Ellsworth Design Committee members remained free and open to all. Their support allowed participants of all ages and skill levels to create glowing sculptural pieces that now illuminate throughout downtown.
“Versant’s commitment continues to energize our work,” said Chesnee Barney, marketing and events coordinator of Heart of Ellsworth. “These spheres are built by the community to be enjoyed by everyone. Keeping them up through winter brings light to the very time of year when downtown needs it most.”
The installation builds on the success of last year’s pilot project in Merrill Park. That effort grew out of the 2022 Downtown Asset Mapping study, which identified the park as a small but powerful location with strong placemaking potential. Expanding the spheres this year reinforces that vision and helps create a lively winter corridor that encourages foot traffic, increases downtown visibility and enriches the shared public realm.
“We are proud to support this community driven effort and help bring light and joy to Ellsworth’s downtown,” said John Flynn, president of Versant Power. “The Heart of Ellsworth team continues to spark creativity and connection, and we are thrilled to be part of it.”
As the city gathers on Dec. 6 for the annual tree lighting, the Holiday Light Spheres will join the celebration, shining with the season and continuing to glow well into winter. They serve as a reminder that Ellsworth’s downtown remains active, welcoming and full of color all season long.
