Georgetown, Del., Sept. 13, 2023: A more and merrier Christmas is in store for Georgetown and all of Sussex County this upcoming holiday season.
Officials from the County government and the Greater Georgetown Chamber of Commerce announced Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, 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, this year will shift to Thursday, Dec. 7, leading in the Chamber’s annual Christmas parade in what organizers hope will be a festive-filled evening featuring the familiar sights and sounds of the season. Caroling will begin at 6 p.m. on the main stage in front of the Sussex County Courthouse; the parade, along with the Town’s tree-lighting ceremony, will step off 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,” Sussex County Administrator Todd F. Lawson said. “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 for both the County and Chamber 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 an added plus, officials hope working together will harness the Chamber’s business reach in aiding 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,” Georgetown Area Chamber of Commerce President Linda S. Price said. “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 and 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 non-perishable 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.
Organizers in the coming weeks will work to finalize details of the paired events, including the Caroling performance schedule, as well as the parade’s theme. More information will be released later this fall through the County and Chamber at their respective websites, sussexcountyde.gov and georgetowncoc.com.
###