Caroling on The Circle and Georgetown Christmas Parade set Dec. 7
More Christmas merriment is in store for Georgetown and all of Sussex County this upcoming holiday season.
Officials from county government and Greater Georgetown Chamber of Commerce announced a new partnership to pair two staples of the holiday calendar – Caroling on The Circle and the Georgetown Christmas Parade – for one big celebration.
The county’s annual Caroling on The Circle event, a musical performance that celebrates its 40th year in 2023, will shift to Thursday, Dec. 7, leading into the chamber’s annual Christmas parade for what organizers hope will be a festive evening featuring the familiar sights and sounds of the season. Caroling will start at 6 p.m. on the main stage in front of the Sussex County Courthouse; the parade and the town’s tree-lighting ceremony will begin at 7 p.m.
County and chamber officials said wrapping all of the community’s holiday events into one package promises to serve up a bigger and brighter night full of Christmas cheer.
“Caroling on The Circle and the Georgetown Christmas Parade are traditions that have delighted children and families for generations,” said Todd Lawson, Sussex County administrator. “But we recognize times and tastes are changing, and let’s face it, everyone’s schedules are hectic these days, especially during the holidays. So, we thought, why not bring it all together and give the community a stocking full of carols, marching bands, floats and, of course, Santa Claus all on one big night? We sure hope it’s a gift the public is happy to receive!”
Officials see the pairing of the events as a natural fit, a candy cane swirl of sorts, allowing both celebrations to maintain their separate identities while maximizing attendance on an already crowded holiday events calendar. As a bonus, officials hope working together will harness the chamber’s business reach to support the county’s Pack the Pod food drive, which is the thrust of the annual caroling program.
“Partnering with the county to bring two holiday events together is very exciting for the chamber, the county and the community,” said Linda Price, Greater Georgetown Chamber of Commerce president. “Both events have a long history and are sought-out community events. The partnership will provide more visibility for Pack the Pod, a mainstay for Caroling on The Circle, as well as expanding on the holiday merriment the parade and lighting of the Christmas tree brings to those young and old.”
Launched in 1984 as part of the Delaware First initiative, Caroling on The Circle has been managed by Sussex County government each holiday season since then; it continues to help those in need a generation later by supporting local food pantries. To date, the community has donated some 800,000 canned goods and other nonperishable food items through the Caroling on The Circle program throughout the course of its four-decade history.
The Georgetown Christmas Parade has been a community mainstay since 1989.
In the coming weeks, organizers will work to finalize details of the paired events, including the caroling performance schedule and the parade theme. More information will be released later this fall online at sussexcountyde.gov and georgetowncoc.com.
