Prince Frederick, MD – Sunday, Dec. 6 proved to be an ideal day for a parade in central Calvert County. The annual Christmas Parade sponsored by the Calvert Optimists and Calvert County Fair Board was held at Fox Run Shopping Center.
The parade passed by the shopping center’s entire store fronts, stopping in front of the Prince Frederick Ford double decker bus, which served as a reviewing stand. Parade participants included volunteers and vehicles from the Prince Frederick, Huntingtown and St. Leonard volunteer fire departments and the Prince Frederick Volunteer Rescue Squad (Company 4). The event’s grand marshal this year was longtime Company 4 member Roland “Sonny” Brady, a member of the Southern Maryland Volunteer Firemen’s Association Hall of Fame.
Also marching and riding in the parade were several local Scouts, 4-H clubs, church groups, local businesses, motorcycle and equestrian clubs. Calvert County Sheriff Mike Evans, who also rode in the parade held the previous day, traveled the parade route accompanied by his wife, Susan, and their grandchildren.
Several classic cars also rode past the reviewing stand. Marching on the route were cadets from the Calvert High School NJROTC and Armed Forces veterans who are members of the local American Legion posts.
The Calvert High School March Band and Jim Godbold (aka Rockin’ Elvis) performed musical numbers in front of the reviewing stand.
Each unit received participation trophies from the parade sponsors.
Spectators, if they were quick enough, got something also as several pounds of candy were tossed to the watchers and wavers along the route.
As always, the event closer was Santa Claus, riding on a sled pulled by a tractor.
One familiar element was missing from the 2015 Christmas Parade. Local Optimist, fair board member and former Calvert County commissioner Barbara Stinnett has served as emcee for the parade the past several years. Stinnett has been ailing the past several weeks and was unable to attend. Her daughter, Joyce Stinnett Baki filled in for her. “Mom will be back next year,” said Baki.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com
