‘Bibbidi Bobbidi Bright’ – an effort to light up the town for the holidays

Lili Hedrick with her husband, Gary, and their twin daughters (top photo), Chloe and Verona, left to right
Bottom photo, Lili Hedrick with husband, Gary, stepdaughter, Dahlia (15), and twins, left to right, Chloe and Verona (7)

Hull resident Lili Hedrick is hoping that as many fellow Hullonians as possible will decorate and light up their homes and businesses to create a community-wide festive atmosphere that will bring smiles to children’s faces during this unusual holiday season.

“Many of these kids won’t be participating in the usual experience of traveling, visiting the Jordan’s Furniture Enchanted Village, or other activities this year, so this is an opportunity for our community to join in the celebration and give them something to look forward to,” Hedrick says. “We want to make this a COVID-friendly magical season for the children of Hull.”

But that’s not all. As part of what Hedrick is calling “Bibbidi Bobbidi Bright,” she plans to create a map of all the decorated houses and businesses whose owners would like to participate so that on Dec. 20 families can drive around town to view all the lights and decorations and children can vote for their top five choices. Prizes, donated by local businesses, will be awarded. The winners will be announced in The Hull Times.

The map will be broken up by neighborhoods, including the alphabet streets, Allerton Hill, Atlantic Avenue, Kenberma, the Village, and the Hull Estates on Avalon Drive.

Here are the details:

On Sunday, Dec. 20, families are invited to stop by Weinberg’s, 519 Nantasket Ave., between 3 and 5 p.m. to pick up a map and enjoy a treat courtesy of the bakery. “We’re hoping that the houses and businesses will be lit up from 4 to 8 p.m. that night,” Hedrick says. The map will also include information about where to drop off the lists of top choices after the event.

The deadline to join in the celebration and appear on the map is Thursday, Dec. 17.  “The more who would like to participate, the better,” Hedrick says.

The idea of going all-out to light up the community this season stems from Hedrick’s childhood days, when her family would drive around their hometown of Waltham to view the decorated houses and businesses. “It was really fun,” she recalls.

Hedrick hopes many families and businesses will participate in the Hull event. “This is a way for us all to connect, even with social distancing restrictions in place,” she says.

This is not the first time that Hedrick has brought the community together during challenging times. Last May and August, Hedrick created a private “Bibbidi Bobbidi Boozed” Facebook group for women in town, and last October, she debuted a private “Bibbidi Bobbidi BOO” Facebook page, through which about 250 surprised and excited children and teens received baskets filled with goodies and gifts provided by participating families.

“Bibbidi Bobbidi Boozed” attracted 300 and 160 participants last spring and summer, respectively. The first activity involved delivering a favorite drink, alcoholic or otherwise, and snacks to the person to whom each woman was assigned.

The second activity had a “beautiful things” theme, featuring beauty products, flowers, plants, cards, photos, custom-made face masks, wine glasses, signs, and other items created by group members or local businesses – all “reflecting so much local talent,” Hedrick notes.

These activities were well received “and got a huge part of the Hull community connected on a whole new level,” Hedrick reports. “For the December holidays, I am hoping to give the kids something different by having the town light up for them.”

With families struggling to make ends meet through this pandemic, this is an event that can make everyone smile, she believes. “Hull is such a selfless community,” she says, “always willing to contribute and to be part of something that’s for the greater good of the people of this town.”

Homeowners and business owners who would like to participate in the celebration and provide the name of their neighborhood and their address for the map, donate a prize, or who have questions are asked to reach out to Hedrick at lillsbells@gmail.com or through the Bibbidi Bobbidi Bright Facebook page.