BIDDEFORD — The smoke stack at the former boiler house on the edge of the Saco River used to be part of a system that powered mill productions. Now, it serves as a beacon of light welcoming people across the river into the city’s downtown.

It was a drizzly night Wednesday, but the rain seemed to stop just long enough for a lighting ceremony of the former smoke stack.

The small crowd that had gathered oohed and ahhed as lights were turned on, illuminating the tall structure.

Funding for the lights was raised at the Biddeford Ball, said Julian Schalver, who along with his wife Roxi Suger hosted the event and a party afterwards at their downtown boutique, Suger. The “ultra efficient” LED lights are “a permanent installation” that will be on every evening until about 1 a.m., said Schlaver.

“We really wanted to show that if people get together, we can make real change,” he said.

Suger addressed the crowd in a festive costume that was part Santa suit, part Native American headdress. She said she wanted to pay homage to the original inhabitants of the area and get into the holiday spirit. She said she was proud of the community. “The reason this is happening is you,” she said.

Mayor Alan Casavant noted the boiler house was built in 1916, and thus was nearly 100 years old. He said the illuminated smoke stack paid homage to the many people who worked at the mills, but was also a symbol of the new Biddeford and all the “cool things” that are happening in the city.

“I love how Roxi and Julian say part of doing business is giving back to the community and this is a great reflection of that,” said Delilah Poupore, executive director of Heart of Biddeford.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or [email protected].