Prince Frederick, MD – Sunday, Dec. 4, Shoppers in the Christmas spirit paused for an hour as Calvert County’s best went rolling and marching by. The annual Prince Frederick Christmas Parade was held at Fox Run Shopping Center. The route covers the road traveling across the front of Fox Run’s two strip malls. The event is sponsored annually by the Calvert County Fair Board and Optimist Clubs of Calvert County. It is also made possible with the cooperation and support from the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office and Department of Public Works.
Units participating in the parade included several local scout troops, 4-H Clubs, church groups, the Calvert High School Marching Band, the local American Legion posts, the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard, motorcyclists, equestrians, plenty of classic trucks and muscle cars. County Sheriff Mike Evans was the lone elected official in the parade.
Other units included a restored farm tractor, a restored 1950s funeral parlor hearse and vehicles from Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative, Calvert County Sheriff’s Office, Prince Frederick Volunteer Fire Department, Prince Frederick Volunteer Rescue Squad and the St. Leonard Volunteer Fire Department.
Parade emcee Joyce Stinnett Baki frequently reminded spectators that Calvert County has Maryland’s only all-volunteer fire, rescue, and emergency medical services.
Once the units had passed the reviewing stand—sometimes after tossing high volumes of candy at spectators and upon the road—and collected their participation trophy, the event’s big star, and closer was back in town. Santa Claus’ sled was pulled by a John Deere tractor. As he rode south and out of the Fox Run parking lot, Santa wished all a Merry Christmas.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com
