Georgetown, Del., Nov. 6, 2007: Grab some food from the cupboard and warm up those vocal chords: it’s time to go a-caroling for a cause here in Sussex County once again.

Sussex Countians are invited to sing in the 2007 holiday season and help the needy during the 24th annual Caroling on The Circle event, to be held Monday, Dec. 3, in downtown Georgetown.

Sussex County Council is once again proud to host Caroling on The Circle, as it has done for nearly a quarter century. The annual community singing event doubles as a food drive for the hungry and needy of Sussex County, drawing hundreds of residents who come out to sing Christmas carols while donating goods for area pantries, churches and food banks.

This year’s festivities will begin at 7 p.m. outside the historic Sussex County Courthouse. The program will feature a blend of traditional and Spanish carols performed by a number of singers, including local artists Ed Shockley and Kevin Short, and the El Centro Cultural group. This year’s festivities also will include the ceremonial Christmas tree lighting by the Town of Georgetown.

Cookies and hot chocolate will be served after the festivities at the Georgetown Fire Company, one block to the south of The Circle. And Santa Claus will take a break from his workshop for a visit with the children.

The event is free to attend. Participants are asked only to bring with them canned goods or other non-perishable food items for donation. Anyone who cannot attend, but who still wishes to contribute, can drop off canned goods Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the County Administrative Offices building, next to the courthouse, in Georgetown.

In recent years, Caroling on The Circle has attracted hundreds of participants and collected tens of thousands of canned goods and other food items. In 1984, its inaugural year, the event drew an estimated 3,500 people.

Last year, Sussex Countians donated an impressive 27,000 food items, one of the best collections ever.

“We were overwhelmed with the outpouring of community support last year, and we look forward to that same giving spirit again this year,” County Administrator David B. Baker said. “Sussex Countians, by nature, are very giving and caring, and we know as the holidays approach our citizens will come through once again for the less fortunate here in our community.”

Caroling on The Circle will be held regardless of weather. In the event of rain or snow, it will be moved inside the fire hall on South Bedford Street. For more information, call (302) 855-7700.