La Salette Festival of Lights begins in Attleboro

By Kirsten Glavin

kglavin@abc6.com

@kirstenglavin

ATTLEBORO –

It’s beaming and beautiful.  The La Salette Shrine in Attleboro attracts thousands every Thanksgiving Day to see more than 2,600 nativity scenes shine bright.

"I think it’s a great thing for the kids to see the lights and experience the experience, so to speak,” said Joe Groves of Pawtucket, who has been going to the shrine for 50 years.

The festival of lights attracts people from all over the country. Some, for religious reasons.

"It’s a tradition for a lot of people,” explained Grace Shepard, who has visited the shrine numerous times. “For religious people, for religious reasons, but also because it’s so beautiful."

Others go to enjoy the atmosphere and see the 350,000 LED lights. Many children attested to this.

"Me and my family get to see lights,” said one child.

"It’s just very calm around here and it’s very peaceful to walk around,” said another. His sister agreed. "Its just like, very pretty."

And of course for many, it’s all about tradition.

"My family always comes, so we just love to be here every thanksgiving too,” Lacey Enos explained.  Her husband Christopher also chimed in. "My family did it, her family did it, so we’re taking our young ones now."

The festival of lights, which volunteers have been working on since August, runs through early January and is open every night from 5, to 9 o’clock.