Built by Many Hands: The Holiday Traditions That Bind Us
Every December, as the cold ocean wind sweeps across Block Island, something magical happens at the heart of Old Harbor.
One by one, weathered lobster traps, some bright with fresh paint, others proudly carrying the marks of seasons past, are stacked into the shape of a towering Christmas tree.
Fishermen, families, local shop owners, and visitors gather to help build it, each adding touches of their own: bows, buoys, evergreen sprigs, a string of lights that glows like stars over the harbor.
And when that tree is lit for the season, you can feel it: the spirit of a community that has held strong through storms, good seasons and bad, generations of change, and the simple joy of coming together.
More Than a Tree… A Symbol of Who We Are
The Block Island lobster trap tree isn’t just a festive landmark. It’s a reminder of what sustains our coastal communities.
It reflects the grit and resilience of our fishermen. It honors the deeply rooted traditions that connect long-time residents with new arrivals, and it showcases the creativity of an island that has always found joy in simple, handmade things.
Anyone who has spent time in South County knows that our traditions aren’t about nostalgia for the sake of it. They’re about remembering who we are and what binds us together.
Whether it’s the lighting of the tree in Wickford Village, Narragansett’s Festival of Lights, or this unique celebration on Block Island, these moments give us more than holiday cheer.
They give us identity.
Tradition as a Bridge Between Generations
In communities like ours, tradition is often the bridge between the past and the future. Kids who help decorate this year’s trap tree are learning not just about Christmas, but about the heritage of an island shaped by the water.
They see firsthand the pride that fishermen take in their work and the love locals have for their home.
These traditions also tell the stories that don’t make headlines: the family that’s been lobstering for four generations… the shop owner who donates buoys each year… the volunteers who show up before sunrise to help build the frame… the grandparents who bring their grandkids to watch the lighting, passing on memories of their own childhoods on the island.
In South County, these stories matter. They ground us.
They remind us what we’re fighting for when we talk about protecting coastal economies, supporting working families, and preserving the character of the communities we love.
Celebrating What Makes District 36 Home
From Bonnet Shores to Point Judith, from Wickford Harbor to the shores of Block Island, District 36 is full of local traditions that make this place more than a set of zip codes. They are moments when we put aside whatever divides us and remember what connects us: pride in our home, respect for our neighbors, love for our coast, and hope for the next generation.
The lobster trap Christmas tree is more than an island tradition. It’s a symbol of how we show up for each other.
How we hold on to what matters. How we make the holidays uniquely our own.
And as we look ahead to the challenges and opportunities facing our communities, it’s worth remembering that the strength of District 36 has always come from its people.
When we build things together, whether it’s a holiday tree made from lobster traps or a better future for Rhode Island, we build something stronger, something lasting, something we can all be proud of.
