JOSH DAVIS/BAYSIDE GAZETTE
Town staff last week put up the official Berlin Christmas tree outside the Atlantic Hotel on Main Street. Holiday events in the town kick off tomorrow, Friday, with the annual tree-lighting ceremony set to start at 5:30 p.m. and the tree lighting itself scheduled for 6 p.m.

By Josh Davis, Associate Editor

(Nov. 22, 2018) Berlin Economic and Community Development Director Ivy Wells remembers her first Christmas in the town four years ago, when she had just moved from Sykesville to take over the position formerly held by Michael Day.

Her first impression was “that Berlin loves Christmas,” she said.

“The entire community comes out and wants to celebrate together,” she said. “There’s so many people that come downtown and it’s almost like a big family reunion.”

Holiday events in the town begin this Friday with the annual tree-lighting ceremony in front of the Atlantic Hotel.

“The event starts at 5:30, but the tree doesn’t get actually lit until 6 o’clock,” Wells said. Mayor Gee Williams will give a short speech and then throw the light switch from the hotel balcony, and radio station Ocean 98 will play holiday music, she added.

Erik Cantine will return to offer an ice sculpture demonstration, which is sponsored by the Ocean Downs Casino. Food vendors will include The Street Kitchen and Sessa’s Vending and Catering, and Masterpiece Flower Farm will sell fresh wreaths and crowns for the occasion, Wells said. Santa Claus will also make a special appearance during the event.

The second annual Story Walk for Kids also begins on Friday, featuring “The Gruffalo” by Julia Donaldson.

“We did it last year and everybody loved it so much they wanted us to do it again,” Wells said. “Each page of the book will be put in participating business windows, starting at the Welcome Center.”

Children can pick up a list for the scavenger hunt and mark off where each page is found. Completed lists can be returned to the Welcome Center and entered into a Jan. 1 prize drawing.

On the following day, Small Business Saturday invites visitors and guests to “shop small and give big.”

“It means, shop in our small downtown and give with your big heart,” Wells said.

Also on Saturday, Nov. 24, the Berlin Arts and Entertainment Committee will sponsor an indoor Holiday Maker’s Market at Anchorwood Creations, directly behind the dry cleaner on 206 William Street. All items are handmade by local artists and artisans, and free parking is available in the downtown lot off William Street.

On Nov. 27, “Giving Tuesday,” Wells said Sisters on 113 North Main Street would have an event with raffle prizes and live music by the George and Pat Bilenki Duo.

“I’m guest bartending and 100 percent of my tips will go to Assateague Island Alliance. And let’s just say they’ll also be a couple of surprises,” she said. “We’ll have a laptop set up and we’re really trying to bring awareness to the ‘A Fed Horse is a Dead Horse’ campaign.”

The 3rd Annual Berlin Artists Studio Tour is scheduled on Dec. 1 from 1-6 p.m. Participating artists and studios will be Lynne Lockhart and Kirk Mcbride (18 Burley Street), CFD Fine Jewelry and the Berlin Printery (16 North Main Street, Unit 4), Stuart Gibbs, Richard Gibbs and Geoff Threadgill (309 Bay Street, Unit B), Anchor Wood Creations (206 William Street, Unit C), Deb Rolig (200 Washington Street), Steel N Glory (305 Washington Street), Wooden Octopus (8 Jefferson Street), Henry Fine Arts Gallery (9928 Old Ocean City Boulevard, Suite 4), and Tim Thompson (200 Washington Street). For more information, visit www.facebook.com/events/2129237094063833 or www.artsinberlin.org.

Next up is the annual Berlin Christmas Parade on Thursday, Dec. 6, which draws thousands of spectators every year and features upwards of 80 floats.

Local artist Jordan Pippin of Steel N Glory will make trophies for winners in categories such as best marching band, school-sponsored float, fire company, and antique car.

The parade is scheduled to start at 7 p.m., although Wells said people generally line up on the sidewalks with chairs much earlier. The event runs through Main Street, downtown, ending at the Berlin Fire Company.

“New for the Christmas Parade, what I’d like to highlight, is that I am adding an ADA-accessible viewing area, which means that it’s a specially designed area for anyone in a wheelchair to watch,” Wells said. “That’s going to be right next to the stage, on Jefferson Street near the hotel.”

Free carriage rides through downtown Berlin will be offered Dec. 1 and 2, Dec. 15 and 16, and Dec. 22 and 23. Hours are 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Additionally, Jingles the Elf will visit the Berlin Welcome Center and make balloon animals for children on Saturday, Dec. 8 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.

The Berlin events season – and the calendar year – concludes with a New Year’s Eve celebration downtown on Dec. 31. Wells said a special event countdown for children was scheduled from 5-6 p.m. and timed to coincide with the countdown in Berlin, Germany.

The celebration for adults is set to run from 10 p.m. until 12:30 a.m., with a light show from the balcony of the Atlantic Hotel and a countdown clock shining on the Town Center Antiques building.

Burley Oak Brewing Company will provide beer, with some proceeds benefiting the Lower Eastern Shore Area Heritage Counsel. Sessa’s Vending and Catering will again provide a food truck.

There is also an ongoing Letters to Santa program, sponsored by Berlin Main Street. To participate, drop a letter with your child’s name and address in the special box inside the Berlin Welcome Center lobby. Santa will send each child a letter back, along with a coupon for a free treat from a participating Berlin business.

Throughout the season, downtown Berlin will sport a serious holiday makeover courtesy of town staff, with some new decorations provided by a donation from the Burley Inn Tavern.

“The economic impact is that people want to go and shop in a beautiful place,” Wells said. “There’s a lot of repeat customers that come downtown, because they know what to expect. They know the shop owners, and the shop owners know what a lot of the people are looking for: beautiful and unique items, and a lot of handmade gifts made right here in Berlin.

“You just see people that you know, and it’s very warm and welcoming downtown,” Wells continued. “And people want to be part of something special.”

SIDEBAR

2018 Berlin Holiday events schedule:

Nov. 23: Tree Lighting and Holiday Open House, 5:30-9 p.m.

Nov. 24: Holiday Maker’s Market, 1-6 p.m. Small Business Saturday event at Sister’s, 5-8 p.m.

Nov. 27: Giving Tuesday

Dec. 1: 3rd Annual Berlin Artists Studio Tour, 1-6 p.m.

Dec. 1, 2: Free carriage rides, 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Dec. 6: Christmas Parade, 7 p.m.

Dec. 8: Jingles the Elf at the Berlin Welcome Center, 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Dec. 15, 16: Free carriage rides, 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Dec. 22, 23: Free carriage rides, 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Dec. 31: New Year’s Eve Celebration, 5-6 p.m. for children and 10 p.m. until 12:30 a.m. for adults