SALEM — A holiday event in Salem that blends the history of the small town with a unique decoration concept has gained in popularity in recent years.
Pondtown Christmas began four years ago when Salem Councilman Brent Hanks approached the mayor about an idea. Hanks wanted to incorporate the city's beloved nickname — Pondtown — into a new Christmas tradition.
The idea called for workers to fashion strands of Christmas lights into the outlines of Christmas trees, then set the them afloat in Salem Pond for a reflecting pool effect.
City leaders and community members jumped at the idea — but making it a reality proved quite difficult, Hanks said.
"We had to raise some money and figure out how to do it," he said. "Most people don't float Christmas trees."
In the end, the crew came up with the idea of lashing sewer pipe together to make the rafts, then used rebar as the anchor for the lights.
Once the lighted rafts are set afloat in the pond, the reflection creates a one-of-a-kind effect.
"For every one feet of lights you use, you get two feet of reflection in the water," Hanks said.
The event is free to the public, and runs nightly from 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Drivers need only enter Salem Pond Drive from 300 West or Main Street and drive the loop around the pond.
Organizers encourage visitors to turn up the heat in their cars and roll down the windows to hear the Christmas music. Carriage rides are also available for a fee.
Many of the neighbors along Salem Pond Drive have embraced the tradition, decorating their homes to coincide with the city's efforts.
"My wife emphasized that we had to get everything together this year and be ready to turn on our decorations when the city turned on theirs," said resident Joe Nielson.
Nielson was unaware of the city's tradition when he moved into his home two years ago but has embraced the idea. Not even the additional traffic it brings can lessen his opinion.
"I love it," he said. "It's just really pretty. They've got the perfect lights, we can look out the window and see the manger scene, and it's just a wonderful thing."
The event is made possible each year by 40 or so donors, both corporate and private. City crews take a couple weeks to set up the display, on top of their regular duties, and flipping the switch the day after Thanksgiving has become quite the celebration in the 4,700-resident city.
"We have hundreds of people there," Hanks said.
Hanks added that busloads of people frequently pass through as well, and the reviews from visitor and resident alike are as glowing as the reflection on the pond.
"I really appreciate that (the city) takes the time and effort to do this," Nielson said.
E-mail: jtwitchell@desnews.com