Five years old and famous

By David Horwitz • NBC Connecticut • Published November 22, 2025 • Updated on November 23, 2025 at 9:59 am

It's one of the most unique holiday celebrations you’ll ever see. Stonington’s 5th Annual Lobster Trap Tree Celebration officially kicked off on Saturday. The main attraction is hundreds of traps and buoys stacked to the sky.

Eric MacAlpine drove about an hour away from Branford to check it out.

“It’s a Christmas lobster tree, you can’t beat it,” said Macalpine.

Byron Dey said it was his third time he and his family joined the festivities.

"It's a really good way of tying in the history of the town with Christmas traditions," said Dey.

The buoys you see are not just decorations. Many of them are created by professional artists, and over 200 of them are sponsored buoys to promote local businesses.

Katie Brady and her family are celebrating with their very own buoy at the top of the tree.

"Showing all the different businesses and community spirit, especially around Christmas time, is such a special way to commemorate it," said Brady.

Lisa Konicki, president of the Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce and founder of Stonington's Lobster Tree Celebration, said being able to go inside is what makes it so special.

"That's what distinguishes this tree from any other tree. It's truly an outdoor art museum," said Konicki…