Highway Department employees were out in their trucks and neon yellow sweatshirts on Friday to hang dozens of wreaths on lampposts, replacing the petunia baskets that were still in full bloom in November. 

This annual tradition comes after the clocks are pushed back an hour, producing extra nighttime that begs to be illuminated by twinkling holiday lights. The hanging of the wreaths marks the official start of the holiday season in Beacon.

Sunny Gardens Nursery on Route 9D was also setting up their temporary tree-leaning structure, and trucks have been driving through town making tree deliveries. Home Depot was stocked with air-filled lawn decorations and assortments of ornament balls, with people in early to pick up wreaths.