CELEBRATE FREDERICK INVITES YOU TO SPEND
THE HOLIDAYS IN HISTORIC FREDERICK

From an old-fashioned parade through the holiday lit streets of downtown Frederick to a charming tour of historic homes decked in festive décor, Celebrate Frederick presents six events sure to put you in the holiday spirit. Designed to appeal to all ages, these events capture the charm and ambience of downtown Frederick during the Holiday season. Following is a listing of the events:

Scents and Sweets Competition & Exhibit
Wednesday, November 28th - FREE
Delaplaine Visual Arts Education Center
5:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Bakers and florists, both amateur and professional, create magnificent gingerbread houses and floral centerpieces along a holiday theme. View these artistic delights, vote for your favorites and enjoy light refreshments during this festive exhibit. Winners will be selected by a panel of judges and by popular vote, and will receive cash prizes. The deadline to submit an entry form is Friday, October 26th. Entry forms are available online at www.CelebrateFrederick.com or through the Office of Special Events at 301-600-2841. Take a second look at some of these holiday treasures at selected Frederick businesses during the First Saturday Gallery Walk on Saturday, December 1st, presented by the Downtown Frederick Partnership.

Holiday Art Competition & Exhibit
Wednesday, November 28th - FREE
Delaplaine Visual Arts Education Center
5:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Local and regional artists share their vision of the Holidays in Frederick for this juried competition. From lighthearted depictions of childhood wonder to breathtaking scenes of traditional Frederick landmarks, this exhibit will inspire the spirit of Christmas in you. You can even meet last year’s winner, Mick Williams, and have him sign a poster of his work “Holiday on Shab Row”. For those interested in competing, the deadline for entry forms is Friday, October 26th. Forms are available online at www.CelebrateFrederick.com, or through the Office of Special Events at 301-600-2841.

Kris Kringle Procession
Friday, November 30th - FREE
6:30 p.m. beginning at the corner of East Street and W. Patrick Street
Celebrate Old World Holiday magic with this parade that winds through beautiful downtown Frederick. The procession features dance troupes, carolers, characters representing Frederick’s German/English heritage, as well as classic favorites such as Rudolph, Frosty the Snowman and of course, Kris Kringle. The parade concludes at the Baker Park Bandshell, 121 North Bentz Street, for a closing ceremony and the lighting of the City tree.

PNC Bank presents the Candlelight House Tour
Saturday, December 1st, 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 2nd, Noon- 4:00 p.m.
$20.00
This self-guided tour allows visitors an inside glimpse into nine private homes located in and around historic Schley Park. All of the homes have been magnificently decorated for the holidays, and are complemented by carolers. Visit the Hospitality Center to purchase holiday merchandise and enjoy complimentary refreshments. Tickets are available at a number of downtown locations. For ticket information, call 301-600-2841, or visit www.CelebrateFrederick.com.

Children’s Weekend
Saturday, December 8th & Sunday, December 9th
Share your child’s holiday excitement during a weekend full of activities just for kids. The weekend includes breakfast with Santa, storytelling, a live children’s performance, ornament painting and much more. Reservations, pre-payment and tickets are required for Breakfast with Santa. Call Brewer’s Alley at 301-631-0089 (ask to speak with the manager on duty). Vouchers are required for the live performance of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever at the Cultural Arts Center, 15 W. Patrick Street, on Saturday afternoon. Call 301-600-2841 for reservations. (Some activities charge a small fee.)

Festival of Lights
Friday, December 14th - FREE
7:00 p.m.
This event begins as carolers throughout downtown Frederick proceed toward the courtyard of City Hall. Once at City Hall, attendees are given a candle to hold throughout the ceremony. After holiday greetings and an inspirational message, there is more caroling as each person’s candle is lit, one by one, until the entire courtyard is filled with magnificent light.

These events would not be possible without the hard work of the volunteers of the Holidays in Historic Frederick Committee, and the following community-minded businesses: Spires Sponsors – Bechtel Group Foundation, Cellular One, Drees Homes, Sandy Spring Bank, Spectrum Federal Credit Union and Weis Markets; Carillon Sponsors – Comcast, COMSTAR Federal Credit Union, Creig Northrop Team – Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., Roy Rogers-a Plamondon Company, The Frederick News-Post and Tuscarora Creek/Greentree Homes; Bandshell Sponsors – BB&T, the Frederick Arts Council and Jean Peterson Design/The JaBITCo Group.. A special thank you to 2007 Media Sponsor The Gazette and to the Tourism Council of Frederick County.

For more information on holiday activities in Frederick, Maryland, please call 301-600-CITY,
301-600-2841, or visit www.CelebrateFrederick.com.