La Salette’s Festival of Lights back up and running after Monday’s storm

ATTLEBORO, Mass. (WLNE) — It’s one of the most popular light displays in Southern New England, but at the busiest time of year, La Salette in Attleboro had to shut down for two days because of water damage. However, on Wednesday night, they were back up and running.

Father Flavio Gillio said as far as he knows, this was the first time La Salette experienced such a bad storm during the Christmas season.

“We had a couple of metal structure that were supporting the lights that had been damaged, trees that were decorated with lights that fell down, at least two of them, and a lot of branches around the property,” said Gillio.

According to Gillio, roughly half a million people stop by to see the lights on Park Street every year.

“I looked up stuff to do in the area and I saw the lights and I was like ‘I haven’t been there in forever’ and as soon as we drove up it was beautiful,” said one Attleboro resident in attendance Wednesday night.

Each year there is a special theme.

“This year is the opening of the prophet Isiah, 40:11 comfort, comfort my people,” Gillio explained.

Gillio said the damage from Monday’s storm was disheartening.

“I wouldn’t say upset, but sorry yes, because it is one of these moments along the year that people are really expecting and enjoy very much when they are here, so I would say a general disappointment,” Gillio said.

A team quickly got to work Monday and repaired the larger-than-life display just days before Christmas.

“They worked so quickly, we’re happy to be here, happy it was open today,” one visitor told ABC 6 News.

The light display will be open from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. until Jan. 1, 2024.