Cumberland council unanimously approves mass‑gathering permit for holiday drive‑through light show

The Cumberland Town Council unanimously approved a mass‑gathering permit on Sept. 22 for Fiesta Shows Maine to operate a drive‑through “Celebration of Lights” at the Cumberland Fairgrounds from Nov. 28 through Jan. 4.

The event’s application projects roughly 800 vehicles per day and includes food vendors; the council said the fire chief and police chief had reported no concerns. During the council’s public hearing period, no members of the public spoke against the permit and a councilor moved to approve it.

Town staff noted completeness issues with how the application was submitted — the council suggested moving to a typed or fillable PDF application for clarity and ease of processing. As the chair put it during discussion, the town is exploring whether the new website will allow applicants to complete a form online rather than submit handwritten materials.

There was no formal amendment or conditions attached to the approval. A motion to approve the mass‑gathering permit passed with a unanimous vote.

The approval allows Fiesta Shows Maine to proceed with planning for the event at the fairgrounds; the council did not set additional operational conditions during the vote.