Sutton Chain Of Lights
In 1992 Gary Vaillancourt worked with the Worcester Country Convention & Visions Bureau (WCCVB) to
create the “Chain of Lights” which was a multi-town program where local businesses would coordinate
efforts to promote their services. Each event would feature a special lighting ceremony which would
link all of Central Massachusetts as a “Chain of Lights”. During its 1992 kick off, it stretched as far north
as Westminster Village Inn and extended through Worcester and Sturbridge Counties. The town of
Sutton’s original participation was called “Christmas Tasting in Sutton” where business leaders from
Vaillancourt Folk Art, Pleasant Valley Country Club, Eaton’s Candy, and Keown Orchards would pool their
resources to rent a trolley that would travel between each business. The day would conclude with a
town-wide celebration at the Common as the Christmas Lights were turned on.
Since then many towns throughout Worcester County have ceased their coordinated celebrations when
the original program was discontinued by the WCCVB. Sutton, however, continues to celebrate this
event as their own having formed a local committee made up of volunteers, business owners, and
organizations giving up countless hours in order to support this town-wide event for the next
generation. Since the first year in 1992 with only one trolley and four stops, this year there are 10
trollies or buses traveling on multiple routes connecting seventeen town businesses and organizations
forming a “Chain of Lights” in Sutton. This event has grown significantly over the years with many
friends and families still celebrating this tradition.
Credit Vaillancourt Folk Art website
create the “Chain of Lights” which was a multi-town program where local businesses would coordinate
efforts to promote their services. Each event would feature a special lighting ceremony which would
link all of Central Massachusetts as a “Chain of Lights”. During its 1992 kick off, it stretched as far north
as Westminster Village Inn and extended through Worcester and Sturbridge Counties. The town of
Sutton’s original participation was called “Christmas Tasting in Sutton” where business leaders from
Vaillancourt Folk Art, Pleasant Valley Country Club, Eaton’s Candy, and Keown Orchards would pool their
resources to rent a trolley that would travel between each business. The day would conclude with a
town-wide celebration at the Common as the Christmas Lights were turned on.
Since then many towns throughout Worcester County have ceased their coordinated celebrations when
the original program was discontinued by the WCCVB. Sutton, however, continues to celebrate this
event as their own having formed a local committee made up of volunteers, business owners, and
organizations giving up countless hours in order to support this town-wide event for the next
generation. Since the first year in 1992 with only one trolley and four stops, this year there are 10
trollies or buses traveling on multiple routes connecting seventeen town businesses and organizations
forming a “Chain of Lights” in Sutton. This event has grown significantly over the years with many
friends and families still celebrating this tradition.
Credit Vaillancourt Folk Art website
