Parade time coming!

 Monday night December 1st 

we will celebrate our 53rd year!

Pocomoke City will be transformed into a "Winter Wonderland", playing host to one of Delmarva’s largest nighttime Christmas parades.

​​

Always held on the first Monday night after Thanksgiving, the Pocomoke parade has become an Eastern Shore tradition and will attract units from Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia along with thousands of spectators.

​

Each year the parade features marching bands representing high and middle schools from seven counties in three states. Also featured will be beautifully decorated and lighted floats entered by schools, civic organizations, churches, and commercial enterprises.

​

Marching units, fire departments, equestrian units, Queens and of course Santa Claus will round out the two-hour event, slated to kick-off at 7:00 p.m. sharp. The route will take the parade north on Market Street beginning at 14th Street and ending at the Pocomoke River.

​

Professional judges, including members of the National Judges Association (NJA), will score entries in many different categories. Cash prizes and trophies will be awarded following the event to the top entries in each category.

​

A special thanks to the City of Pocomoke, the community of Pocomoke City and surrounding areas for the recent support given to us to continue this great tradition that has been a part of the town for over four decades.

Visit Pocomoke Christmas Parade for the registration applications noted above, and other info. Note: Deadline for registering is midnight Wednesday, November 26th.

Pocomoke CC Christmas Arts & Crafts Festival!

 Saturday, November 8th

9am to 3pm

Pocomoke Community Center

The Pocomoke Area Chamber of Commerce has been hosting this amazing Christmas Festival annually since 2010. With over 35 arts and crafts vendors, you’ll find plenty of gifts, Christmas decorations, and holiday cheer.

Our Christmas Festival is held in the elegant Grand Ballroom at the Pocomoke Community Center, 1410 Market Street in Pocomoke City, Maryland.

Santa will be seated in front of the Grand Fireplace from 11am-1pm with free goodies for all the children that want to visit with him. You are welcome to take photos of your child during their visit with the big guy. Santa’s arrival at the Community Center usually begins with a walk through the Ballroom to say hello to all of our valued vendors and he is always well received.

Festive Christmas music plays during our event interrupted only by giveaways that are announced every half hour. Food and beverage including breakfast and lunch is provided in the concession area hosted by the Community Center staff at very reasonable prices. There is plenty of free parking and multiple well-maintained restroom facilities available. 

Admission to the Festival is $5 per person with kids 12 and under admitted free however no family pays more than $20 for admission. Our festival is our only fundraiser raising operating funds for the Chamber’s annual expenses. Your admission fee goes a long way in helping us to cover our costs associated with producing the festival. Additionally, the Pocomoke Community Center is handicapped accessible.

(See more:)

http://christmasfestivalpocomoke.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Arts-Crafts-Festival-2025.mp4

We asked... (Pocomoke north of the river?)

 

Why didn't Pocomoke City establish businesses and residences on the north side of the Pocomoke River?

Several factors limited the establishment of businesses and residences on the north side of the Pocomoke River, including the historical origins of the town, geographic and environmental barriers, and the pattern of railroad development. 

Geographic and environmental factors

• The Great Cypress Swamp: The Pocomoke River flows from the Great Cypress Swamp in the north, creating a landscape of inaccessible wetlands. This made the area immediately north of the river difficult to build on.
• Difficult drainage: For centuries, heavy rains would cause the water to back up into the drainage ditches on the flat farmlands, leaving the fields sodden for days and unsuitable for development. The land on the south side of the river proved to be higher and more suitable for early settlement.
• Spoil banks from dredging: In the post-World War II era, an 18-mile stretch of the river was dredged and channelized to improve drainage for agriculture. The dredged material was deposited along the riverbanks, creating elevated "spoil banks" that further disconnected the floodplain from the river itself. This would have continued to hinder development on the northern side. Historical development
  • Original settlement location: The town that became Pocomoke City began in the late 17th century as a small settlement called Stevens Landing on the south bank of the Pocomoke River, centered around a ferry crossing.
  • Native American territory: Historically, the Nusswattux, a sub-tribe of the Pocomoke Nation, were located on the north side of the river. Land patents and historical records from the 1700s reference the Nusswattux Neck, a territory on the north side of the Pocomoke River.
  • Railroad placement: The town's growth accelerated in the 1880s with the construction of a main railroad line running along the Delmarva Peninsula. This critical transportation link crossed the Pocomoke River at the existing settlement, reinforcing the development on the south side. 
  Infrastructure and logistics
  • Early river commerce: The south side was already established as a center for river commerce and shipping. Key infrastructure like wharves and warehouses for shipping tobacco and lumber were constructed on the south bank.
  • Land-based access: With the main part of town, the railroad, and later the main highway (Route 13), being established on the south side, it was more logical and convenient for businesses and residences to stay centralized near existing infrastructure. 

Time Machine: 100 years ago this week in Pocomoke's newspaper; 1896, 1929, 1971.

 

(The newspaper's circulation drive seems to have pushed out significant local news coverage.  But the circulation drive was generating a lot of interest in and around the community.  Here are some non-news items from the 10/31/1925 edition that might be of interest.)

(larger text below ad)

May 1896

Democratic Messenger

May 1929

Delmarva Star

March 1971

Democratic Messenger

tkforppe@yahoo.com

A page from 1916's Maryland's Colonial Eastern Shore-

 

(Continues with another page next Saturday here at The Pocomoke Public Eye.)

Halloween fun in Downtown Pocomoke!

It was a bit breezy and cool, but a good time was had by all on Halloween evening in Downtown Pocomoke. Thanks to the Pocomoke City Police Department for their organizing and participation.

(See more photos:)

https://www.facebook.com/p/Pocomoke-City-Police-Dept-100076911507861/

Warriors make the grade in Cross Country!

(City of Pocomoke Facebook) 

Cross Country Regional Success for PHS XC!!! 🏃🏾‍♀️🏃🏃🏾‍♂️🏃🏼🏃🏽‍♀️

Pocomoke High School had an outstanding showing at the Regional Championships held at Cambridge-South Dorchester!

Rylan George finished 2nd overall

Thomas Foltz placed 12th

The Pocomoke Boys Team qualified as a team for States! (Competitors: Rylan George, Thomas Foltz, Makhi Bailey, Tyrell Topping, Jeremiah Henry, Darrelle Taylor, and Senior Keydrick Collier) 

On the girls’ side, Kyleigh Kruse placed 7th, and Kayleigh Denston finished 15th, both earning State Championship berths!

What an incredible season for these hardworking athletes! They’ll now represent Pocomoke at the State Championships at Hereford High School on Saturday, November 8th.

Let’s go Warriors! 💙💛

Crash and Flooding in Somerset news-

 (WBOC)

One dead in Somerset County single-vehicle crash | Latest News | wboc.com

       (Crisfield flooding)

Crisfield postpones trick-or-treating to Saturday due to flooding | Latest News | wboc.com

Pocomoke veteran is Show winner-

 

               

                     

Mobile Mammography Unit will serve area communities-

 

(View WMDT news story:)

TidalHealth unveils mobile mammography unit - 47abc

Congratulations Pocomoke Field Hockey!

 

        Photo: Take The Shot Sports Photography

In the winning tradition... the Regional 1A Championship goes to the Pocomoke Warriors Field Hockey Team!

Changes coming for White Marlin Open-

 

White Marlin Open adjusts for weather and technology

(View news story:)

White Marlin Open adjusts for weather and technology | Premium Content | octodaydispatch.com

Pocomoke's Neighborhood Crime Watch-

Pocomoke Mayor Todd J. Nock:

 Congratulations, Corporal Fitchett! We know the Pocomoke community is in great hands!

I’m pleased to share that Corporal Fitchett will now be leading our Neighborhood Crime Watch program.

Cpl. Fitchett has the perfect personality for this role—approachable, dedicated, and passionate about keeping our community safe. He’s ready to take on this new challenge and help strengthen the partnership between our residents and law enforcement.

Under his leadership, the Crime Watch will be structured by election districts, with the goal of having a representative from every area of the city. This approach will ensure that every neighborhood has a voice and a direct connection to the department.

Let’s show our support for Cpl. Fitchett as he steps into this important role. Together, we can make Pocomoke stronger, safer, and more united.

Monday's Breaking News from Somerset County-

 (WBOC)

(View news story:)

BREAKING: Somerset County Public Schools Superintendent steps down | Latest News | wboc.com

Medical services of P.A. facility relocating-

 (WMDT)

(View news story:)

Wellness & Recovery Center in Princess Anne Closing its Doors - 47abc

$38M donation to UMES-

 (WMDT)

Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott Donates $38M to UMES

(View news story:)

Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott Donates $38M to UMES - 47abc

(AI) 

Billionaire? Novelist? Philanthropist? Sorry, her fortune was made by divorcing Jeff Bezos who really made the money.

Your friend,
Slim

Worcester County's new finance officer-

 

(WGMD)

The Worcester County Commissioners have appointed Ondrea Starzhevskiy to serve as the new finance officer. Starzhevskiy briefly served as deputy finance officer after joining the County’s finance team in August 2025. In her elevated role, Starzhevskiy will lead the Treasurer’s Office. Starzhevskiy has 14 years of accounting expertise, including seven years as a director. Her extensive experience in public-sector finance, strategic budgeting, and intergovernmental coordination align well with the County’s financial leadership goals.