By Tara Fischer

Staff Writer

The Ocean Pines Association is gearing up to offer residents an array of holiday and Christmas-themed events as the festive season approaches.

The Ocean Pines Recreation and Parks Department’s Hometown Christmas Tree Lighting is returning for its 14th year. On Saturday, Nov. 30, at 6:30 p.m. at White Horse Park, community members can come out as Christmas trees sponsored and decorated by Ocean Pines social clubs, local businesses, and families are lit.

Sponsoring a tree is $75 for returners and $100 for new sponsors. For more information, contact 410-641-7052. Santa will also be at White Horse Park during the tree-lighting festivities from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The Ocean Pines Recreation and Parks Department is hosting a “Light up the Pines” event. Between Nov. 18 and Dec. 13, households may register and decorate their homes for free to be entered into a drawing to win one of three $50 bill credits from Choptank Electric Cooperative. To be included, participating community members must submit their name, address, and phone number via email to info@oceanpines.org or by calling 410-641-7717.

The parks and rec event flier notes that contestants are also asked to submit a picture of their decorated and lit-up house for a “special holiday video.” OPA residents may sign up after Dec. 13. While they will not be entered into the raffle, their festive home will be added to the online map of holiday-themed homes.

Coming up this week, also hosted by the Ocean Pines Recreation and Parks Department, is the free “Cranksgiving” bike ride and food drive event. On Saturday, Nov. 23, participants will assemble at the Ocean Pines Yacht Club in time for the 9 a.m. start, where they will ride their bikes to Food Lion, Dollar General, and/ or the Ocean Pines Farmers Market “to purchase items for donation to ‘Sarah’s Pantry’ at the Ocean Pines Community Church,” the advertisement reads. Interested individuals can contact rec and parks at 410-641-7052 for more information.

With the holiday season kicking into gear, the Ocean Pines Recreation and Parks Department offers its resident bus trips. Just in time for Christmas, on Saturday, Dec. 7, OPA members can hop onto a bus at the Ocean Pines Community Center at 5:30 a.m. to head to New York City. The transportation costs $85 per person and includes only the ride. The department’s Facebook page indicates that spots are filling up fast. To reserve a seat, contact 410-641-7052. The bus will leave NYC at approximately 6:30 p.m.

OPA Rec and Parks is offering a bus trip to a Capital One Arena-held Washington Capitals vs. New York Rangers game on Saturday, Jan. 4. The trip includes transportation, game tickets, and a food package with unlimited beer and wine for the first two periods. Tickets are priced at $367 for lower bowl seats and $195 for upper bowl seats. The bus will depart the Ocean Pines Community Center at 7:30 a.m. The game begins at noon.

The parks group is hosting a similar trip later in the winter on Feb. 23. Hockey fans can again hop on a bus with other Ocean Pines residents for a Washington Capitals vs. Edmonton Oilers game. Spots are $135 a person, which includes a ticket, transportation, and a food package.

For more information about these events and others, residents can contact Ocean Pines Recreation and Parks at 410-641-7052.