PORTLAND (WGME) – LED lights that illuminate Portland's parks and buildings every winter for the last 20 years are back.
Tommy's Park in the Old Port is one of the eight locations where the lights are being displayed. The lights are made by Pandora LaCasse, a visionary artist who changes her colors and style every year.
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“It's way more nuanced because they are truly pieces of art that she has to work on,” Portland Downtown Executive Director Cary Tyson said. “She has to restore them every year. There is a significant amount of work that goes into it and it really takes an artist of her caliber to make sure they're at that high performing level."
Tyson said the association continues to bring LaCasse's artwork back because they’re unique to Portland; having a tremendous demand there and focuses on areas only in Maine.
"I have connected her with two or three different people to continue to grow the lights," Tyson said. "In fact I get calls every night from other communities. I think unfortunately her bandwidth is just limited and she's committed to Portland."
According to her website, the displays are meant to not only light up its surrounding area, but to engage its surrounding community.
"It doesn't like take over the trees, it just enhances nature," Portland Resident Elizabeth McGrady, said. "The trees are still in the shape they are; it's beautiful. The lights are magical."
Allen Batterson lives in Florida and was visiting Maine for the first time when he saw the lights.
"I've never seen anything like them anywhere, we've been all over the us and this has been very unique," Batterson said.
Not walking, but running through Tommy's Park was Mary Baumer and her group of friends who take in the lights every season. For the last 10 years they've dedicated a night to run through LaCasse's lights.
"I love driving around and seeing them but when you can stop and actually look at them; Portland does such a wonderful job," Baumer said. "I love the balls, I love all the colors."
The lights will be on through March and a walking tour of the lights can be found on Downtown Portland's website.