The City of Pocomoke is set to host one of Maryland’s largest Nighttime Christmas parades this Monday, November 29 at 7:00 p.m. Decorations have been hung on light poles all along the parade route, and a huge star has been hung on the flagpole in downtown Pocomoke. Homeowners all along Market Street will have their homes decorated for this annual extravaganza.
This year’s event will again feature many beautifully decorated floats representing churches, schools, civic clubs, and commercial organizations. High school bands from across Delmarva will entertain the crowd with a host of holiday selections. There will also be marching units, fire companies, and beauty queens. Santa Claus will be once more be in his place of honor at the rear of the parade.
All entries will be vying for trophies and cash prizes in many different categories. Professional judges, including the Atlantic States Judges Association, will select the winners. Awards will be sent out following the parade, also a winners list will be posted on our website. Entries can be accepted until November 24 at midnight.
The parade will step off at 7:00 p.m. sharp from the corner of Market and 14th Streets. It will then travel north on Market Street past the reviewing stand that will be located at Clarke Avenue and Market. The parade will disband at the Pocomoke River. Santa Claus is expected to arrive downtown no later than 9:30 p.m.
Although the downtown area is the preferred viewing location for most of the expected over 2,000 spectators, spots all along Market Street offer good vantage points to view the event. Parking is at a premium in the downtown area, and spectators are urged to arrive early. The broadcast will be carried on speakers throughout the downtown area.
Parking will be prohibited along Market Street starting at 5:00 p.m. Market Street from Old Virginia Road to 14th Street will be closed at 4:30 p.m. for parade staging. The remainder of Market Street will be closed at 6:00 p.m. Parking in Cypress Park will not be permitted after 5pm as the band buses will use this area for parking.
Officers from the Pocomoke City Police Department will be assisted by the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office, Maryland State Police, Ocean City Police including their mounted patrol, Worcester County Fire Police, members of the ROTC and other departments to provide traffic and crowd control.
Billed as one of Maryland’s largest nighttime parades, the Pocomoke event has been an Eastern Shore tradition since the early 1970’s. Always held on the first Monday night after Thanksgiving, the event traditionally opens the holiday parade season on Delmarva. The City of Pocomoke, and local businesses sponsor the event.
In case of inclement weather, the parade will be postponed until Tuesday, November30 at 7:00p.m. For more information about the parade, go to our website pocomokechristmasparade.com or to our Facebook event page.
