Pocomoke City is set to host one of Maryland’s largest Christmas parades this Monday night, December 2 at 7:00 p.m. Decorations have been hung on light poles all along the parade route, and a huge star has been hung on the flagpole in downtown Pocomoke. Homeowners all along Market Street will have their homes decorated for this annual extravaganza, and the official city Christmas tree in the downtown mini-park is ready.
This year’s event will again feature many beautifully decorated floats representing churches, schools, civic clubs, and commercial organizations. High school bands from across Delmarva will entertain the crowd with a host of holiday selections. There will also be marching units, fire companies, and beauty queens. Santa Claus will be once more be in his place of honor at the rear of the parade.
All entries will be vying for trophies and cash prizes in many different categories. Professional judges, including the Atlantic States Judges Association, will select the winners. Awards will be presented immediately following the parade at the reviewing stand. Entries can be accepted until November 29.
The parade will step off at 7:00 p.m. sharp from the corner of Market and 14th Streets. It will then travel north on Market Street past the reviewing stand that will be located at Clarke Avenue and Market. The parade will disband at the Pocomoke River. Santa Claus is expected to arrive downtown by 9:30 p.m.
Although the downtown area is the preferred viewing location for most of the expected 3,000 to 5,000 spectators, spots all along Market Street offer good vantage points to view the event. Parking is at a premium in the downtown area, and spectators are urged to arrive early. WBEY 96.9, & WDMV AM54 will broadcast the event live on the radio. The broadcast will also be carried on speakers throughout the downtown area.
Parking will be prohibited along Market Street starting at 5:00 p.m.. Market Street from Old Virginia Road to 14th Street will be closed at 4:30 p.m. for parade staging. The remainder of Market Street will be closed at 6:00 p.m. Parking in Cypress Park will not be permitted after 5pm as the band buses will use this area for parking.
Officers from the Pocomoke City Police Department will be assisted by the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office, Maryland State Police, Ocean City Police including their mounted patrol, Worcester County Fire Police, members of the ROTC and other departments to provide traffic and crowd control.
Billed as one of Maryland’s largest parades, the Pocomoke event has been an Eastern Shore tradition since the early 1970’s. Always held on the first Monday night after Thanksgiving, the event traditionally opens the holiday parade season on Delmarva. The City of Pocomoke, the Pocomoke City Chamber of Commerce, and local businesses sponsor the event.
In case of inclement weather, the parade will be postponed until Tuesday, December 3 at 7:00 p.m. For more information about the parade, call the Pocomoke Chamber of Commerce at 410-957-1919.
