The tradition began with a joint idea from the town’s two heritage organizations, Westside Historical Society and the Adkins Historical Complex & Museum, later joined by the town’s Volunteer Fire Company, town churches, and civic organizations. Their hope, which has become a popular holiday activity, was to remind every one of the simple joys of the Christmas Season with an “old-fashioned” traditional celebration. Home-made decorations, home-baked goodies, and the pleasures of spending time with family and neighbors and friends – all play a central part in this celebration.
As a prelude to the parade – beginning at 3:30 and coming down Main Street – there will be a fun event sponsored by Westside Historical Society – a Jingle Bell 5K Run [or walk!], open to all ages. The Walk begins in front of the Barren Creek Heritage Museum, open for free tours through 6:30, and winds through town, ending where it began at 413 Main St. Runners can claim a reserved chair there for parade-watching ! And winners will win trophies and ribbons! The Parade ends at the Fire House where Santa will leave his parade float and welcome visits from children for the rest of the evening. Great Eastern Shore food also will be on sale in the Fire House during the evening, and vendors and a Silent Auction will be there as well. Also there, a map of the sites, buildings and special event locations throughout the town can be picked up – free! There is no admission to any of the sites open in town.
At the Barren Creek Springs Church on Main Street, mini-concerts can be heard at 4:30 and 5:30, and Organist Donna Adler will be playing the 19 th century pump organ as well. Also open to admire will be the Barren Creek Springs mineral water spring house, the center of the town when it was spa in the 1800s and early 1900s. All up and down Main Street, musicians will be playing at several spots, the folks of the Methodist Church will be selling food, self-guided tours will be available in the historic buildings dating from the 1800s – the Emery family’s private home still occupied by descendants of a family from that time, the restored General Store, one-room school, farm house, Cannery warehouse, and the Graham-Whitelock home. Other buildings include a doctor’s office, one honoring some of the town’s veterans, and a restored railroad station-house recalling the busy decades when the trains roared through town. The tour ends at 7:00.
Visitors are welcomed to take a walking tour (a good flashlight is suggested), or ride free on the trams that will continually circle through town. Enjoy the special decorations, games for children to play, exhibits of model trains, old toys, dolls, and games, and the ever-present good will of the season! Street traffic on Main Street will be limited from 3:00 to 7:00 but parking will be permitted on side streets and near the Firehouse.
For more information, call either the Adkins organization at 410-546-4672 or 410-883-3139, or the Westside Historical Society at 410-726-8047. Or go online to www.adkinshistorical.com or email adkinshistorical@gmail.com . There are still spaces available for vendors, demonstrators or exhibitors, or performers! Join us for one of the year’s most memorable celebrations!
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