GREAT MILLS, Md. — There are some people who need only a nickname, and in St. Mary’s County, that was Bubby—a man who always believed the best in others. There was no one like him in Great Mills.
Bubby Knott was the most generous and kind-hearted man in all of the county. As a businessman, he gave many their first professional excavating job at the Great Mills Trading Post.
Businesses were built, companies expanded, and Bubby gave. He donated to numerous charities in the county. Bubby (Joseph Duane) was born on Sept. 1, 1946, in Leonardtown and passed away in the same town on Jan. 4, 2024, at the age of 77.
In the 1990s, he and his family started a Christmas light display, adding to it each year with lights coordinated to music on a local radio station. Families came from near and far to see the amazing display every Christmas.
Karen Siebert, Knott’s daughter and now president and CFO of the Great Mills Trading Post, never doubted what she needed to do to honor her father.
“It wasn’t long after my dad passed that I felt I wanted to put together one more Christmas in his honor,” Siebert said. “I spoke to many family members and close friends who quickly jumped on board. It had been years since I had been heavily involved, and it was something I felt very passionate about.
“It was not only something that my dad loved, but I also knew how much it meant to the community. The main part of the farm where most of the Christmas festivities were held was already under contract prior to my dad’s passing. However, the new owner didn’t bat an eye when asked if we could hold this special event this year.”
Siebert said they have been overcome with emotion at the outpouring of love and support from the community.
“Countless hours, manpower, and love went into this event,” she said. “It’s a testament to how one person truly can inspire others. This event was only possible due to the love and support of many. We know it’s bittersweet and sad as this has been a family tradition loved by many for a long time, but it’s also sad for my family.
“We have lost the patriarch of our family, and we are all doing our best to get through the best way we know how. My family will cherish the time we have had together working on this.”
Siebert stated that it had been a long time since many family members made the time to share together.
“We were reminiscing over childhood memories and sharing special stories of my dad,” she said. “Some family members found their new calling by taking on new roles like our very own Grinch and Mrs. Claus. New friendships were formed, and old friendships rekindled.
“What we learned and are so very grateful for is the extended family we have, who gave up their Christmas season, time with their own families, time from their jobs—all to pull together to make this happen.”
Siebert said she hopes that people felt the love and magic of the season when they left the farm this year.
“We know that some people missed things, and some people felt it wasn’t the same or even as good, and they are right; it wasn’t the same. Unfortunately, things change and evolve, but we certainly hope we did him proud.”
Karen Anderson, a retired art teacher at Green Holly Elementary, has enjoyed visiting the farm year after year with the singles group, Singular Vision for Christ. She is a coordinator for the non-denominational singles group, which offers singles from local churches an opportunity to gather on Thursdays in Great Mills for Bible study and local activities.
“We have been going as a group for years,” Anderson said. “We have watched the changes, from lights and then when music was added, to open barns to see animals, cocoa, a mechanical bull and reindeer rides, the museum, and pony rides.
“Going to the farm has been one of the highlights of the Christmas holiday season for us and hundreds of Southern Marylanders. We were blessed to get one of the final hayrides to Bubbyville. We are thankful for the many years of joy and community gatherings at Bubby Knott’s farm.”
Commissioner Eric Colvin of District 1 said that thousands of people were able to enjoy Flat Iron Farm this year, and Bubby Knott’s legacy of giving and community service is rightfully honored and remembered by all.
“Bubby’s Christmas Farewell truly was an amazing event,” Colvin said. “I do not have the words to express what an incredible gift it was to our community.
“I am 100% certain that Bubby would absolutely love that so many families and children were able to attend and make memories that they will hold for a lifetime.”
Colvin commented on the remarkable generosity of all involved.
“It just shows how special St. Mary’s County is,” he said. “This one event, which stretched over multiple weekends, is a transformational type of event. The memories that kids are building during their formative years will help shape them for their entire lives, and the Knott family demonstrated for all of us how generosity and kindness make this event a fundraiser for several worthwhile organizations and how it will impact more than we will ever know.”
Colvin said he’s in awe of how the celebration all came together.
“When I pause and think about how much work went into making this possible and how many people were involved in pulling Karen and Bobby Jo’s vision together, I’m in awe.
“Thank you to all who made it possible. There was impressive attention to detail to make such a fun experience available to everyone. The numerous sponsors and businesses that participated also deserve recognition and thanks.”
Siebert said they are still waiting on a few numbers to come in, but as of Dec. 26, 2024, they have raised $120,041.13 in donations, which will be matched by the Knott family.
Anyone still wishing to donate can do so using links on their Facebook page.
Watch the Bubby Knott – A Legacy of Lights video by Views / Sounds Media to “explore his story, the tradition he created, and the impact it had on the local community.”
Contact our news desk at news@thebaynet.com
I missed it but I know in my heart Bubby was probably smiling down on all. I loved going there and have many things I have bought over the years that I put out at Christmas. He will always be remembered. Thank you for sharing all the picks. My health would t let me go. But there in spirit. ♥️♥️♥️♥️
The world is a lesser place without Bubby. He will be spoken of fondly for many, many years to come.
A very special man,, So true to his heart of giving,, And a great caring person to so much.
One of the best of people.