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Georgetown hosts Caroling on the Circle and Christmas parade

Santa waves to the crowd as his sleigh takes him around the Circle to conclude the annual Georgetown Christmas parade. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dan Cook
December 8, 2025

The Circle in Georgetown was alive with music and song Dec. 4, as the 42nd annual Caroling on the Circle brought many communities together to sing with one voice and to bring hope to those in need during this Christmas season.  

The annual holiday tradition is a major food drive for Sussex County's needy, collecting thousands of food items for local pantries.

Local performers, politicians and VIPs led the singing of beloved carols. The evening culminated with the annual Georgetown Christmas parade and tree lighting, and all centered around the historic county courthouse on the Circle.

The evening started off with music by Lyra Marquense. Sussex County Administrator Todd Lawson welcomed those gathered for the annual event. The emcee for the evening was Jason Lee. The music and carols were led by local musicians Kevin Short and Ed Shockley. 

Special treats for the evening were the songs presented by the children’s choir of St. Michael’s Catholic Church. When the caroling was finished, the official tree lighting took place by Jvonne Oliver of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce.

The crowded Circle was then entertained by the annual Christmas parade that was led by grand marshal Sen. Brian Pettyjohn.

 

Rudolph leads Santa’s sleigh around the Circle.
Lyra Marquense entertains the crowd before the caroling.
Aubrey Zinser, 9, and her dad Evan donate food goods to the Pack the Pod.
Kalelo Roblero Perez tells Santa what he wants for Christmas.
Entertainer Kevin Short leads the crowd in singing “Frosty the Snowman.”
Kevin Short and Ed Shockley lead the caroling from the stage in front of the historic Sussex County Courthouse.
Michael Fink, right, sings carols as his father Shaun lights up the lyrics with his cellphone.
Jason Lee acts as emcee for the event.
Michael Shockley plays drums for the musical groups.
Singers from the children’s choir of St. Michael’s Catholic Church entertain the crowd with their Christmas song “Mi Burrito Sabanero.”
Local entertainer Ed Shockley sings “White Christmas.”
Singers from the children’s choir of St. Michael’s Catholic Church entertain the crowd with their Christmas song “Mi Burrito Sabanero.”
Sussex County Administrator Todd Lawson, left, has a lighthearted moment with emcee Jason Lee.
Singers from the children’s choir of St. Michael’s Catholic Church entertain the crowd with their Christmas song “Mi Burrito Sabanero.”
Local politicians and VIPs join in on the singing of the carols.
Kevin Short, center, and Ed Shockley lead the carolers in singing “Silent Night.”
Local politicians and VIPs join Kevin Short and Ed Shockley to sing carols.
Singing a carol duet are Kevin Short, left, and Georgetown Mayor Bill West.
The Christmas tree is lit before the parade.
Emma Flickinger, 6, gets close to the singers.
Elle Bay, 2, watches the parade from behind the barrier.
Parade emcee Kurt Herring offers information about each unit of the parade.
The parade is led by grand marshal Sen. Brian Pettyjohn.
The parade was led by grand marshal Sen. Brian Pettyjohn.
Rep. Valerie Jones Giltner walks the parade route.
Junior Miss Georgetown Presley Jones waves to her fans.
Little Miss Georgetown 2026 Melanie Smith waves to the crowd on the Circle.
Chamber member Kurt Herring emcees the parade.
Georgetown Mayor Bill West waves to his constituents.
Here comes the Meineke muffler car.
Grinch of the Steel Horse Knights is an easy rider with his riding partner.
A fancy tricycle has two front wheels on this Steel Horse Knights trike.
A friendly Yeti waves to the crowd.
While there was no precipitation, the Sussex County Bible Church makes its own snow.
St. Michael the Archangel shows off its manger theme.
Marvelous Produce participates in the parade.
Children wave from the Crossroad Community Church float.
Greg Fuller, Sussex County’s register of wills, lends his singing talent to the caroling group.

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Dan has worked for the Cape Gazette for more than 30 years as a photographer and reporter, covering high school sports and happenings around eastern Sussex County. He won a photography award from the National Newspaper Association, and numerous awards from the Maryland, Delaware, D.C. Press Association. A Delaware native, Dan graduated from Cape in 1972 and returned as a teacher and coach in the 1980s. He retired from the classroom in 2016. He was inducted into Cape High’s Legends Stadium in 2016. In his spare time, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife, two sons, grandchildren and dogs. 

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