The holiday season is shoring up in Padanaram as the village prepares for its now annual buoy tree lighting ceremony.

On Friday, Dec. 6, during the village’s annual holiday stroll, the buoy tree, made out of hand-painted buoys painted by people throughout the community, will be lit up.

The buoy tree tradition began in 2020 and started as a way to “uplift spirits and create a community-centered event during the difficult times of the pandemic,” said Molly Armando, who came up with the idea.

Individuals and businesses can buy buoys at local stores, paint and decorate them.

On Nov. 30, the buoy tree will be constructed out of the buoys from residents and the buoys from businesses will be strung along the boardwalk heading down to the town dock.

“Each year it has become bigger and more creative, with buoys that reflect a wide range of artistry,” Armando said. “My favorite so far is one shaped like an ear of corn.”

The ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a few speakers and then a community member will light the tree.

Armando said that the person chosen to light the tree is usually someone who helped the community in some way.

“The tree has become a beacon of joy and connection for everyone in our community,” Armando said.

The buoy tree will be up until early January, at which time 50 buoys will be chosen to be auctioned off. Each year, all of the proceeds from the auction go to a local organization.

This year’s recipient is Sharing the Harvest Community Farm, which is a non-profit hunger-relief farm that has donated more than 450,000 pounds of produce to the community since 2006.

People and businesses can buy buoys to decorate from local shops until supplies last. Personal buoys cost $15 and business buoys cost $75. Using acrylic paint to decorate the buoys usually works best.

Those who buy the buoys also have the option to not include their buoy in the auction and can opt out of it by placing a red sticker on the buoy’s bottom, which can be picked up when the buoy is purchased.

Buoys should be delivered to the Padanaram Maritime Center by Nov. 30.

During the holiday stroll, which begins at 4 p.m. and ends at 8 p.m., attendees will also have the chance to meet Santa, see live entertainment, have their face painted, buy food from food trucks and listen to carolers sing Christmas tunes.