📰BIDDEFORD | UNE and Heart of Biddeford Partner to Spread Holiday Cheer

“I think it has been really successful. We are at the half way point of the time set aside and the students have already completed 2/3's of the entire workload”, said Delilah Poupore, Executive Director for Heart of Biddeford. 

November 16, 2025, If you were downtown today, you may have noticed some younger looking individuals carrying around ladders, totes, lights, and some even climbing trees. Great news, this was not a rebellion! 

UNE students hang lights from tress in downtown Biddeford to spread holiday cheer

OK OK… All jokes aside.

Today, more than two dozen students from the University of New England (UNE) partnered with the Heart of Biddeford to hang holiday lights throughout the downtown.

At 1:00 PM, over 24 students from UNE gathered at the Heart of Biddeford Office at 205 Main Street, Suite 103, to meet and be divided into groups.

Students were provided buckets of lights and ladders to string lights from trees and lamp posts along several city blocks; This year, the lights will be displayed on Main Street and Lincoln Street, beside the Lincoln Hotel.

“I think it has been really successful. We are at the half way point of the time set aside and the students have already completed 2/3's of the entire workload”, said Delilah Poupore, Executive Director for Heart of Biddeford. Poupore went on to say, “this is what is really great about working with UNE students, they are extra efficient and cooperative.”

UNE students listen as HOB staff give directions for the hanging of holiday lights in downtown Biddeford

This is not the first time that UNE students have assisted with this specific project. This year, the partnership was headed by UNE’s Anthony Montalbano, Director of Student Resolution, Division of Student Affairs and 2 student government members of the class of 2028; Class President Brooke Rainville and Vice President Mae Buchanan.

L-R: UNE Class of 2028 Vice President Mae Buchanan, President Brooke Rainville, and fellow student Caroline Rhodes

Important to note, it is partnerships like this (UNE & HOB) that help ensure the continued success of our ever growing city; Heart of Biddeford works to foster a welcoming, inclusive, and sustainable community for the people of Biddeford and its visitors. The University of New England is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses. When the two institutions work collaboratively, amazing things can happen and create great benefits for Biddeford residents - today was a great example of that, cheers!