On December 2, 2020

Gov. Scott calls on Vermonters to ‘light the way’

This holiday season, Gov. Scott is calling on Vermonters to “Light the Way” with extravagant holiday decorations. Locally, the “Light Up Rutland” movement has 30 confirmed locations around town. Initiatives are also underway in Killington, Hartford, Brandon, Pittsford and Ludlow.

Governor Phil Scott is encouraging families and businesses to help show that “Vermont Lights the Way,” an effort to literally brighten communities and neighborhoods around the state by decorating homes, businesses, trees or other creative ideas to help celebrate the holidays during the pandemic.

“I know how hard this pandemic has been, especially as we make our way through the holidays without the ‘normal’ get-togethers and sense of closeness we all want,” said Governor Scott. “So, in celebration of the coming holiday season, I think it’s time to lift our spirits. Let’s get creative and show the world that Vermonters are here for each other and that even through these dark and difficult times, Vermont Lights the Way.”

By Brooke Geery
Lights, garlands and bows adorn the entrance of a house on Bellevue Ave in Rutland.

In addition to decorating, Vermonters should share pictures of their displays— or favorites from around the community — on social media using the hashtag #VTLightsTheWay. This will allow those who are not able to tour the lights to take part in the holiday celebration.

The Vermont Association of Broadcasters and Vermont businesses and organizations are supporting this effort to help bring cheer to the coming holiday season. Photos posted using the #VTLightsTheWay hashtag could be chosen by a news outlet and shared on their pages to help spread the light.

“I hope this effort will spread joy and hope, especially for our kids,” Scott  added. “We can make a holiday season during a once-in-a-century pandemic truly memorable for our kids in a fun and positive way. Together, we can celebrate this season and remind each other that there are brighter days ahead.”

The governor hopes for strong participation in these trying times to prove that once again, Vermont Lights the Way.

By Brooke Geery
A display on Bellevue Ave in Rutland is part of the “Light Up Rutland” group on Facebook, which encourages community members to view all the creative and festive displays around town and vote for their favorite.

Do you want to submit feedback to the editor?

Send Us An Email!

Related Posts

Two members, including chair, resign from the Commission on the Future of Public Education in Vermont

June 25, 2025
By Corey McDonald/VTDigger Two members of the Commission on the Future of Public Education in Vermont, including the commission’s chair, announced last week they would be resigning, saying they no longer believed their efforts would make any impact. Meagan Roy, the chair of the commission, and Nicole Mace, the former representative of the Vermont School Boards…

Vt plastic bag use dropped 91% following ban, researchers find

June 25, 2025
In the midst of 2020 Covid measures, another change took place in Vermont: A law went into effect banning businesses from offering plastic bags to customers, with paper bags only available for a fee. A 2023 analysis of a survey of hundreds of Vermonters found the law appeared to have worked. Plastic bag use in…

Plan to manage 72,000 acres of the Telephone Gap project is finalized

June 25, 2025
Staff report The U.S. Forest Service issued its final plan for managing 72,000 acres of public and private land on June 16. The proposed Telephone Gap Integrated Resource Project area is located on the Green Mountain National Forest (GMNF) within the towns of Brandon, Chittenden, Goshen, Killington, Mendon, Pittsfield, Pittsford, and Stockbridge. “The Telephone Gap project is…

Killington residents push for skate park as town reimagines recreation future 

June 25, 2025
By Greta Solsaa/VTDigger As Killington celebrates the 50th anniversary of its recreation center, some residents are pushing to make a skate park a new permanent fixture of the town’s summer offerings.  The town crafted its recreation master plan to holistically determine how to best use its resources to serve residents in the future, Recreation Department Director Emily Hudson…