Chesapeake Beach, MD – For about two generations Chesapeake Beach has been glowing over the Chesapeake Bay at Christmas time. The municipality’s Yuletide tradition continued Sunday evening, Nov. 30 as town officials—with the aid of Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus and some talented youngsters—lit up the town with Christmas lights.
The Light Up the Town festivities were held at the Chesapeake Beach Town Hall. Mayor Bruce Wahl presided over the ceremony, thanking the contractors and the town’s Public Works Department for their efforts in wiring up the colorful decorations. Both Route 260 and Route 261 feature the decorations.
After introducing the Clauses, Wahl turned the program over to Beach Elementary School (BES) music teacher Marilyn Beeson, who directed the BES Fifth Grade Band and Strings. The students performed several Christmas classics.
Once the town was officially lighted, attendees converged on a tent, to visit with Santa, enjoy carols by the Twin Beach Players Youth Troupe and listen to a vibraphone performance by Bob Snider. The Chesapeake Water Park provided glitter art. Refreshments were also served.
During December the town will conduct its annual “Brightest Beacon on the Bay” contest with prizes for the owners of houses, townhouses, businesses and boats deemed the best decorated. There is also a prize for the entry judged to be the “brightest” on the bay.
Chesapeake Beach’s annual lighting display runs through Jan. 5.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com
