JOSH DAVIS/BAYSIDE GAZETTE
Showell Elementary School students, winners in the School Sponsored Float category, perform during the annual Berlin Christmas Parade, last Thursday.

By Josh Davis, Associate Editor

(Dec. 13, 2018) Below-freezing temperatures did little to deter the crowd of several thousand spectators who lined up to watch Berlin’s annual Christmas parade, last Thursday.

Eighty-two groups participated in the parade, sponsored the Town of Berlin and Berlin Main Street, and paid for from donations by Berlin-area businesses.

“It went really well and every year we will come up with new ways to make it better. We got really good feedback from our entries and everyone had a really good time,” said Allison Early, Berlin Economic and Community Development administrative assistant.

Economic and Community Development Director Ivy Wells agreed.

“The kids did an amazing job with their floats, as did the businesses, plus a big thank-you to our sponsors … the parade would not happen without them.” she said.

The lone hiccup of the night was when a 4-H float broke down for several minutes in front of the judges’ station. Eventually, several people helped push the stranded vehicle out of the way.

“After listening to feedback, next year’s parade will require everyone to decorate their vehicles and the timing between floats will be monitored as well,” Wells said. “Kudos to town staff and volunteers for pushing the broken down 4-H truck out of the way too.”

Treasa Bartle, Robin College and Sandy Waybrant judged band, ROTC and commercial parade units, while Louis Taylor, Elaine Brady, Linda Hess, Terri Westcott and Bill Shockley judged additional floats. Wayne Cannon emceed the event.

Local artist Jordan Pippin of Steel N Glory created the trophies.

Winners were:

Marching Band: Snow Hill High School and Pocomoke High School (runner up)

Youth Sponsored Float: Coast Kids/Assateague Coastal Trust and Girl Scout Troop 346 (runner up)

School Sponsored Float: Showell Elementary School and Berlin Intermediate School (runner up)

Adult Sponsored Floats: Assateague Island National Seashore and Habitat for Humanity ReStore (runner up)

Fire Units: Berlin Fire Company and Ocean City Fire Company (runner up)

Commercial Units: The Harrison Group and Trimpers Rides (runner up)

Adult Marching Units: Ocean City Honor Guard and Duncan-Showell Post #231 (runner up)

Youth Performing: Seaside Dance Academy and Worcester Preparatory M&Ms (runner up)

Vehicle Clubs: Hogs & Hero’s Chapter 8 and East Coast Car & Truck (runner up)

Crowned Youth: Pocomoke Fire Company and Worcester County Farm Bureau (runner up)

Antique Cars: Cropper’s Towing and Bad Monkey (runner up)

ROTC Marching Units: Snow Hill High School and Pocomoke High School (runner up)