(Dec. 3, 2015) Berlin’s 45th annual Christmas Parade returns to Main Street tonight, Thursday, running from 7-9 p.m.
Space for floats filled up early this year, as the many would-be entries had to be denied entry well before the Nov. 20 deadline to keep the long line of participants from winding too far.
Parade categories include adult and youth floats, performing youth, adult and youth marching units, ROTC marching units, school bands, fire companies, commercial units, vehicles, motorcycles and antique cars. Awards will be given out for first and second place in each category.
The theme this year is “Toyland in Berlin,” and several costumed characters are slated to appear on the streets in conjunction with the event.
Organizer Sharon Timmons, an administrative assistant with the town’s office of economic and community development, advised guests to get to Berlin early.
“It fills up rather quickly,” she said. “Luckily there are many places to park.”
That includes Berlin Intermediate School, where, for a fee, a shuttle will take spectators to the staging area. The shuttle will run from 5:45-7:15 p.m., and 8:45-9:30 p.m.
Eastern Shore Kettle Korn will sell popcorn on Jefferson Street during the event and Seaside Dance Academy will sell hot chocolate near the visitor’s center.
Timmons said this year’s parade would have 18 new entries, continuing a trend of increased interest that began last year.
“They’ll bring just a different feeling to the parade. Variety is always good,” Timmons said, adding that she had to turn away more than a dozen other entries. “The parade just wants to get bigger and bigger.”
Additional holiday events in Berlin include the “Win the Window” contest, which gives shoppers tickets to win prizes in participating shops for everything $10 they spend, through Dec. 18.
A “Letters to Santa” program also runs through Dec. 18 at the visitor’s center on 14 South Main Street, with each participating child receiving a return letter with a free treat from Baked Dessert Café, Berlin Coffee House or Rayne’s Reef.
Timmons said donations from a number of area organizations helped make the parade possible. Those include ABBA Bail Bonds, Marc Anthony Service Experts, Poole Contracting and Consulting, Healing Hands Chiropractic, Cards Technology, Walt Dennison Train Shop, Worcester Preparatory School, Adkins Company, Berlin Optical, Flag Publications/Bayside Gazette.
Shirley Grace Pregnancy Center, William E. Esham/Admiral Hotel, Esham Family Limited Partnership/Comfort Inn, Decatur Investments Inc., Esham Family Limited Partnership/Admiral Hotel, Taylor Bank, St. Paul’s Church Mouse, JJ Fish, Diversified Maintenance.
S&G Smith Associates, Action Island, Atlantic Orthopaedics, Baypointe, Bleached Butterfly, Hunan Chinese Restaurant, Worcester County Developmental Center, Bank of Ocean City, Days Aluminum, Gary’s Shore Service, Doodle Design, Berlin Shoe Box, Claudia Nichols State Farm Insurance and First Shore Federal.
The town is looking for volunteers to help run several of the holiday events. For more information, contact Ivy Wells at iwells@berlinmd.gov or 410-629-1722, or Timmons at stimmons@berlinmd.gov or 410-629-1716.
Space for floats filled up early this year, as the many would-be entries had to be denied entry well before the Nov. 20 deadline to keep the long line of participants from winding too far.
Parade categories include adult and youth floats, performing youth, adult and youth marching units, ROTC marching units, school bands, fire companies, commercial units, vehicles, motorcycles and antique cars. Awards will be given out for first and second place in each category.
The theme this year is “Toyland in Berlin,” and several costumed characters are slated to appear on the streets in conjunction with the event.
Organizer Sharon Timmons, an administrative assistant with the town’s office of economic and community development, advised guests to get to Berlin early.
“It fills up rather quickly,” she said. “Luckily there are many places to park.”
That includes Berlin Intermediate School, where, for a fee, a shuttle will take spectators to the staging area. The shuttle will run from 5:45-7:15 p.m., and 8:45-9:30 p.m.
Eastern Shore Kettle Korn will sell popcorn on Jefferson Street during the event and Seaside Dance Academy will sell hot chocolate near the visitor’s center.
Timmons said this year’s parade would have 18 new entries, continuing a trend of increased interest that began last year.
“They’ll bring just a different feeling to the parade. Variety is always good,” Timmons said, adding that she had to turn away more than a dozen other entries. “The parade just wants to get bigger and bigger.”
Additional holiday events in Berlin include the “Win the Window” contest, which gives shoppers tickets to win prizes in participating shops for everything $10 they spend, through Dec. 18.
A “Letters to Santa” program also runs through Dec. 18 at the visitor’s center on 14 South Main Street, with each participating child receiving a return letter with a free treat from Baked Dessert Café, Berlin Coffee House or Rayne’s Reef.
Timmons said donations from a number of area organizations helped make the parade possible. Those include ABBA Bail Bonds, Marc Anthony Service Experts, Poole Contracting and Consulting, Healing Hands Chiropractic, Cards Technology, Walt Dennison Train Shop, Worcester Preparatory School, Adkins Company, Berlin Optical, Flag Publications/Bayside Gazette.
Shirley Grace Pregnancy Center, William E. Esham/Admiral Hotel, Esham Family Limited Partnership/Comfort Inn, Decatur Investments Inc., Esham Family Limited Partnership/Admiral Hotel, Taylor Bank, St. Paul’s Church Mouse, JJ Fish, Diversified Maintenance.
S&G Smith Associates, Action Island, Atlantic Orthopaedics, Baypointe, Bleached Butterfly, Hunan Chinese Restaurant, Worcester County Developmental Center, Bank of Ocean City, Days Aluminum, Gary’s Shore Service, Doodle Design, Berlin Shoe Box, Claudia Nichols State Farm Insurance and First Shore Federal.
The town is looking for volunteers to help run several of the holiday events. For more information, contact Ivy Wells at iwells@berlinmd.gov or 410-629-1722, or Timmons at stimmons@berlinmd.gov or 410-629-1716.