Town officials, local leaders get creative with activities for Halloween, Christmas
By Ally Lanasa, Staff Writer
PHOTO COURTESY ON WHAT GROUNDS?
As many residents and business owners in Berlin find alternative ways to celebrate Halloween during the pandemic, On What Grounds? on North Main Street is selling festive treats.
(Oct. 22, 2020) As the coronavirus pandemic persists, Berlin and nearby areas are discovering alternative ways to celebrate the upcoming holidays.
Halloween
Buckingham Presbyterian Church, 20 S. Main St. in Berlin, is hosting a Trunk or Treat on Friday from 5:30-7 p.m. to help children celebrate Halloween.
Hot dogs, popcorn and drinks will be provided at the end of the trail.
On Saturday, the Healing Arts Center of the Eastern Shore is holding a socially distanced wreath making event from 7-9 p.m. at 617 Franklin Avenue.
Tickets cost $48 to create a wreath inspired by Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven.”
All proceeds from the event will benefit the Lemonade Bookstand’s mission of providing bibliotherapeutic bundles and literacy supplies to local children with disabilities.
For more information, visit fb.me/e/1CXfxkvMa.
The Berlin branch of the Worcester County Library is offering an online program about the process of creating its “Dr. Maddockter’s Mad Libratory” on Monday from 2-2:30 p.m.
For more information about the event, visit www.facebook.com/worcestercountymarylandlibrary/.
The county library is also hosting an hour-long online program next Thursday with Dustin Pari about paranormal activity across the country.
As a part of SyFy television’s Ghost Hunters, Ghost Hunters International, and appearances on Destination Truth and Ghost Nation, Pari has traveled the world looking for answers and expanding his understanding of the unseen realm, said Jennifer Ranck, the Worcester County Library director.
To sign up, visit worcesterlibrary.libcal.com.
Registration closes 24 hours before the program begins.
“While supplies last, branch libraries are putting together Halloween-themed bags for children to go along with any book or programming orders starting Oct. 26,” Ranck said.
Ranck added that patrons can request books, audio books, and movies for pick-up at all five branches.
“We have plenty of material for all ages to celebrate Halloween, everything from pumpkin carving books to scary films,” she said. “Place an order online through the library catalog or call your local branch for assistance.”
Throughout the rest of October, Dolle’s Candyland, 1 S. Main St. Unit B, is having a 30 percent off sale on gifts, excluding the Pomchies masks.
The candy shop has a variety of seasonal treats available, including homemade pumpkin fudge, homemade pumpkin spice caramels, chocolate fall leaves and Halloween gummies.
On What Grounds?, 103 N. Main St. also has festive treats, from marshmallow Frankensteins to chocolate ghost pops.
In addition, the Worcester County Recreation Center off Route 113 in Snow Hill invites children ages 12 and up to participate in a “Track or Treat” on Oct. 30 from 6-8 p.m.
Face coverings are required throughout the event.
Chesapeake Ghosts Tours is hosting Berlin Ghost Walks on Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. and Oct. 31 at 7:15 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Tickets cost $20 for children and $25 for adults.
Participants will meet at The Atlantic Hotel on North Main Street.
“Halloween is not canceled this year by any means,” said Ivy Wells, Berlin’s economic and community development director.
The town is not endorsing Halloween in the community, but residents can participate if they wish.
Berlin officials strongly urge anyone who decides to participate in trick or treating to practice social distancing and wear masks.
Residents have made a Facebook group called “I want CANDY……” where those who plan to pass out candy on Halloween can post their address, street name or neighborhood in Berlin, Ocean Pines, Ocean City and Bishopville.
The Town of Berlin asks residents who do not wish to be approached for Halloween candy and treats to turn off their porch lights or front door lights on Halloween.
Christmas
Town officials announced that three-foot-tall carved ice art sculptures by Erik Cantine will be lit and displayed throughout downtown Berlin on Nov. 27 during the holiday shop night.
Sculptures will be located in front of and sponsored by the following businesses: Dolle’s Candyland, Heart of Gold Kids, Life’s Simple Pleasures, Fathom, Rayne’s Reef, Baked Dessert Café, Mike Poole Construction, East & Main Shore Supply, Worcester Goes Purple, Health Freedom, Treasure Chest, Beach Gypsy, Una Bella Salute, Bruder Hill, Bruder Home, Atlantic Retreat, Bird of Paradise, Madison Avenue Boutique and Pop’s Kitchen.
Shops will be open until 9 p.m.
Although the town’s Christmas tree lighting countdown ceremony has been canceled, the Christmas tree will be lit during the event.
Residents and visitors can sip hot chocolate while listening to holiday music with DJ Big Al Reno from Ocean98 radio.
For more information, visit fb.me/e/2TCKA0pUr.
Wells added that the town is hosting a holiday house decorating contest in lieu of the annual Christmas parade.
Berlin residents may register to participate in person at the Berlin Welcome Center or Town Hall as well as online at www.berlinmainstreet.com by the end of November.
Houses must be decorated by Dec. 11 and judging will take place the following week, Wells said.
There will be four major prizes: the Clark Griswold Award for the brightest house, the Kevin McCallister Award for most creative house, the George Bailey Award for the most traditional house and the Charles Dickens Award for the best house.
The judges, who will consist of a variety of local celebrities, will also give out honorable mentions.
Throughout December, free carriages rides will be offered from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the weekends in downtown Berlin.
Wells said to prevent exposure to the coronavirus, it will be limited to a family per ride.