Decorating the Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library lawn for the holiday season is a yearly tradition that occasionally involves frayed wires, but never frayed tempers.

Sixteen volunteers and members of the Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce braved the chilly weather on Nov. 20 to help decorate the lawn for the Harbor Lights festival, which starts Dec. 6.

Volunteers worked together to wrap strands of white lights around the tree trunks and some branches, set up the family of reindeer pulling a sleigh, and hang red bells and lighted candy canes near the library entrance. The last project of the day was easily the largest — decorating the huge spruce tree.

Dave “Bucket” Thompson and Kris Ward strung lights from a cherry picker so they could reach the top, while the rest of the volunteers hung large bulbs and other decorations using ladders.

After the decorating volunteers took part in a pizza party at the chamber.

“Everyone's so excited about the holiday season this year,” said Cherie Scott, member services and event manager. “The lights will be lit on Dec. 6 at 4 p.m. to kick off the Harbor Lights festival — be there or be square!”

“It's great to have so many volunteers give their time to help,” said Tony Cameron, executive director. “It was a very fun day.”

A couple of volunteers remarked that next year they should have Christmas carols playing as they decorate.