EMMITSBURG,
Md. – Just as the clock struck 6 p.m. on Dec. 3 and
snowflakes gently began falling to the earth, a large group
of people gathered together in front of the Emmitsburg Community
Center to witness the annual tree-lighting ceremony and kick
off the evenings festivities.
It
was the town’s official kick off of the holiday season
and the 19th annual “Evening of Christmas Spirit”
event.
Kurstin
Metz, a sixth grader from Emmitsburg, was one of those who
braved the frigid temperatures to witness the tree-lighting
ceremony. As a first-year attendee, Metz said she was looking
forward to spending the evening with friends and seeing
the tree lighting ceremony for two reasons.
“It
looks cool and exciting,” Metz said.
Her
friend, and seasoned attendee, Joy Jullian, also from Emmitsburg
and in the sixth grade, said she enjoys coming to the event
every year to see the big tree and participate in all of
the evening’s activities, especially the festivities
at The Carriage House Inn.
Emmitsburg
Mayor James Hoover got the evening started with the tree
lighting, which was followed by the singing of a few carols.
But it didn’t take long before the singing ended and
the festivities moved to a warmer location at The Carriage
House Inn.
Barrel
fires set up in the parking lot of The Carriage House Inn
made the evening seem a bit less frigid as people took in
the live nativity, petted the sheep and grabbed a free hot
dog and cup of hot cocoa before heading inside The Carriage
House Inn to munch on sweets and listen to the various choirs
sing Christmas music.
Hoover,
who attended the event with his family, said the evenings
festivities, especially the choir performances, are what
small towns are all about and what he enjoys about living
in Emmitsburg.
“It
really shows so much of a community coming together,”
Hoover said. “With different people and groups, it
creates such a great night and an opportunity to socialize.”
Hoover
also expressed his desire for the younger generations to
get involved in activities like the “Evening of Christmas
Spirit” to ensure that such events continue in the
future.
“It’s
important to get the kids out; if they’re not interested
then it will end,” Hoover said.
Plenty
of kids seemed interested in the Lions Clubs annual Christmas
party held on Dec. 1, which welcomed dozens of children
and their families to participate in various holiday activities
from face painting to ornament decorating. Held at the Vigilant
Hose Company, a magic show performed by Khan-Du & Company
provided entertainment prior to the big event of the day-
the arrival of Santa Claus.
Lions
Club member Joe Ritz said the event had been held for well
over 75 years, and “is a time-honored tradition”
in Emmitsburg that exemplifies the Lions Club motto: “We
Serve.”
“This
is a team effort,” Ritz said. “This is a delightful
turn out… we’re already thinking about next
year.”
