Westport is filled with holiday treats. But the lights on the Cribari Bridge outshine nearly every other winter wonder.
Ever since Al DiGuido and a crew of volunteers first hung hundreds of bulbs all over the historic span nearly 20 years ago, however, the actual lighting has been a low-key affair.
This year, there will be a very impressive ceremony.
No, it won’t rival the Christmas tree lighting at Rockefeller Center.
Ours will be better.
The William F. Cribari Bridge, in all its holiday glory. (Photo/JD Dworkow)
This Friday (November 29, 6:30 p.m.), Westporters are invited to the Saugatuck Rowing Club. There on the patio — with a perfect view of the Cribari Bridge — there’s hot cocoa, spiked cocoa, Saugatuck Sweets sundaes, Donut Crazy donuts, cookies, popcorn, a hot dog cart, live music, a cash bar and more.
The actual lighting takes place at 8 p.m. But the party lasts till 9:30.
Kids go free. It’s $20 for adults — but 100% of the proceeds benefit Al’s Angels. That’s the organization founded by bridge lighter (and Saugatuck Sweets owner) Al DiGuido. All funds help children and families battling cancer, rare blood diseases, natural disasters and severe financial hardships.
The Cribari Bridge lights were created as a symbol of hope for all in town.
Let’s hope there’s a huge turnout of angels on Friday, when Al turns on the lights.
(For tickets and more information on Saugatuck Rowing Club’s Bridge Lighting Festival, click here.)
Another view. (Photo/Joel Treisman)
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Another great reason for keeping the Cribari Bridge ‼️🇺🇸🇺🇸
The bridge looks beautiful and very festive, but I still call it “The Bridge Street Bridge.”
We’ve enjoyed to way the lights on the Cribari Bridge bring together Westport’s State Scenic Highway, the Federal Bridge Street
Historic Neighborhood and the vibrant Saugatuck village.
What a great way and time to add to the work of Al’s Angels, a charity so integral to the community and to celebrate all the folks who work so hard to keep our traditions alive.
Brings joy to my heart. wish I was there.
Yet another example of how Al’s Angels bring joy to so many local families, while adding to our community as a whole. They truly make this world a better place.
Just wondering, I showed up to the bridge area around 7:40 and the lights were already on, no one was outside, and it was clear I had missed the “moment.” Did the lighting time change from the posted 8PM time?