Lights Out at the Montauk Light

A monetary shortfall of about $50,000 this year means the Montauk Point Lighthouse Museum Committee will not be able to decorate the landmark with holiday lights as it has for the last seven years, the committee announced Wednesday.

Noting that the 220-year-old mariner's beacon will, of course, remain on, the committee said "fiscal constraints" will prevent it from being able to illuminate the Lighthouse with the thousands of lights it takes to make it shine each year from late November through December.

"We have significant ongoing and future costs ahead of us in repair and maintenance of not only the Lighthouse tower and museum, but the revetment holding up the bluff on which our beautiful beacon stands," the committee said in a statement. "The Montauk Lighthouse is a self-funding, not-for-profit entity, relying solely on our wonderful patrons to support our site, tours and operations," the committee said, adding that its "first responsibility is to the care and upkeep of 'the light.' "

The committee, which has been caring for the Lighthouse since 1986, said it would welcome donations to fund the holiday lighting, which costs about $50,000, but that it would need the money by Nov. 1 in order to make the lighting happen.

The annual event has typically attracted thousands of spectators as the kickoff to the winter holiday season in Montauk, and the honor of flipping the "on" switch has been given to a noted community member each year the event has taken place.