KENNEBUNKPORT — As Kennebunkport’s 35th annual Christmas Prelude festivities unfold this weekend and next, police are reminding motorists about road closures and parking bans between the town and neighboring Kennebunk. 

The tree lighting ceremony in Dock Square begins at 5:30 p.m. tonight. Kennebunkport Dep. Police Chief Kurt Moses said the square will be shut down to all motorists beginning between 4:30 and 5 p.m. 

Moses also said a portion of Ocean Avenue will also be shut down, along with Spring Street (Route 9). 

On the Kennebunk side of the bridge, Cooper’s Corner at the intersection of Port Road (Route 35) and Western Avenue will be shut down beginning at 5 p.m. and opening back up around 6:30 or 7 p.m., said Sgt. Andrew Belisle of Kennebunk Police. 

The same road closures will be in effect next weekend, as Kennebunkport readies for its second tree lighting on Friday, Dec. 9, to be followed by a fireworks display. 

On Saturday, the annual Hat Parade will take place beginning at 3 p.m. Dock Square and surrounding roads will be closed for the parade as it travels from the town municipal parking lot up Temple Street, where it will turn onto Spring Street and cross the bridge into Kennebunk. 

Belisle said Cooper’s Corner will be closed to motorists beginning around 3 p.m. for about 20 minutes as marchers enter the area. 

Motorists are advised that there will be no parking along Beach Avenue on Saturday as Kennebunk’s Lower Village lights its holiday tree, and as attendees march to the Franciscan Monastery for caroling immediately following the event. The tree lighting begins at 5:30 p.m.

Vehicles leaving the monastery after the singing will all be directed down Beach Avenue following the event, being forced to take a left-hand turn, Belisle said. 

Moses said there will be additional road closures and parking bans for smaller events as the week ensues, such as the Walk to Bethlehem on Saturday, Dec. 10, and that people should be on the lookout for signage indicating closures. 

“They’ve just got to understand there are number events over the next two weekends here, and we ask people to bear with us and just deal with a couple minor inconveniences,” Moses said. 

Moses also said police have placed extra “no parking” signs along North Street and other “problem areas” around town, and that drivers should be particularly conscious of where they park. 

Look out for the bright orange signs, he said. 

Moses also said there has been an increasing number of people bringing alcoholic beverages to town events, and would like to remind people that it is against the law to drink alcoholic beverages in public and that they can be arrested for doing so. 

“It’s a trend we’ve seen over the last few years,” he said. “Everybody thinks they can walk around with drinks in their hand, and we’re just reminding everyone that’s not what this event is is about.” 

Adult beverages should be consumed inside and on private property, Kennebunkport Police said. 

Additional parking information and a full list of Christmas Prelude events can be found online at christmasprelude.com. 

— Staff Writer Alan Bennett can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 329 or [email protected].