(Nov. 26, 2015) The Christmas season starts this Friday in Berlin, with the annual tree lighting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. in front of the Atlantic Hotel on Main Street.
Mayor Gee Williams will light the tree from the balcony of the Atlantic Hotel with the help of Santa, Little Mister and Miss Berlin Peach, and several holiday characters.
Pianist Eric Byrd will provide music and the Casino at Ocean Downs will sponsor a live ice-sculpting demonstration.
Organizers said guests should expect a few surprises this year.
“The tree-lighting ceremony is going to have a new twist,” Town Administrator Laura Allen said. “We’re going to keep that a secret, so come on out and see it in person.”
The annual Christmas parade follows less than a week later, running through downtown Main Street on Thursday, Dec. 3 from 7-9 p.m.
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 a fee 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.
Before the parade, several costumed holiday characters will walk up and down Main Street.
Timmons said this year’s parade will 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.”
“We’re excited that the holidays are here again,” Allen said. “We’ve got all of our events lined up for the holiday season and the merchants have been very supportive of the “Win the Window” contest, which is something new. So we would encourage folks to come down to Berlin and find out all about it.”
Win the Window runs through Dec. 18 and gives shoppers the chance to go home with more than $3,000 in merchandise and gift certificates. The promotion gives entry tickets for every $10 spent in participating stores, with a limit of 10 tickets.
The town is also sponsoring a “Letters for Santa” program. A mailbox will be placed outside the visitor’s center and Santa will collect the letters and send each child a return letter with a coupon for a free treat at Baked Dessert Café, Berlin Coffee House or Rayne’s Reef.
Letters must be dropped off by Dec. 18.
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.
Mayor Gee Williams will light the tree from the balcony of the Atlantic Hotel with the help of Santa, Little Mister and Miss Berlin Peach, and several holiday characters.
Pianist Eric Byrd will provide music and the Casino at Ocean Downs will sponsor a live ice-sculpting demonstration.
Organizers said guests should expect a few surprises this year.
“The tree-lighting ceremony is going to have a new twist,” Town Administrator Laura Allen said. “We’re going to keep that a secret, so come on out and see it in person.”
The annual Christmas parade follows less than a week later, running through downtown Main Street on Thursday, Dec. 3 from 7-9 p.m.
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 a fee 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.
Before the parade, several costumed holiday characters will walk up and down Main Street.
Timmons said this year’s parade will 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.”
“We’re excited that the holidays are here again,” Allen said. “We’ve got all of our events lined up for the holiday season and the merchants have been very supportive of the “Win the Window” contest, which is something new. So we would encourage folks to come down to Berlin and find out all about it.”
Win the Window runs through Dec. 18 and gives shoppers the chance to go home with more than $3,000 in merchandise and gift certificates. The promotion gives entry tickets for every $10 spent in participating stores, with a limit of 10 tickets.
The town is also sponsoring a “Letters for Santa” program. A mailbox will be placed outside the visitor’s center and Santa will collect the letters and send each child a return letter with a coupon for a free treat at Baked Dessert Café, Berlin Coffee House or Rayne’s Reef.
Letters must be dropped off by Dec. 18.
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.