From Michael Blum, Chairman, Bel Air Christmas Celebration 2015:
To the Editors of the Dagger Press:
On behalf of the Town of Bel Air and the Bel Air Downtown Alliance, I would like to thank the citizens of greater Bel Air for their attendance and enthusiasm at the Sunday, December 6, 2015, Town of Bel Air Christmas Parade and Celebration.
It was a marvelous event, helped by spectacular weather — one of the best winter parade days we have ever had! The sun shone in a clear blue sky from dawn to sunset, and the warmth of the smiles and the spirit of the participants and the crowd added energy and “heat” as night fell.
I walked the route just behind the end of the parade and was astounded at the size of the crowds. We had expected perhaps 3,000 people but we might have come close to doubling that! I was particularly pleased to see so many children enjoying the sights and sounds. The joy on the faces of the kids and families reflect the values of our community and the love we all have for this season.
Bel Air is indeed a wonderful, family-friendly place, and it’s events like this that make that clearly apparent to all.
Special thanks must go to the many hard-working volunteers who put the entire celebration together, especially including our parade marshals Aaron Cahall, Alex Krowzow, Angela Robertson, Annette Blum and Trish Heidenreich, and a very hard-working group of wonderful students from Bel Air High School: mostly members of the National Honor Society under the supervision of Mrs. Kelly Blackburn: Rebecca Kabir, Natalie Salib, Lydia Rothbard, Chloe Foster, Lauren Gray, Meghan Thompson, Margo Sybert, Rebekah Riley and Bryce Robertson. These students showed their intelligence and leadership abilities as they did a fantastic job coping with our VERY chaotic and stressful staging area! It takes a lot of people to keep such a parade in order, and all these volunteers worked beautifully together.
The sponsor banners were carried by members of Cub Scout Pack 777, based at Bel Air United Methodist Church, organized by Tracy Lazarony, who absolutely excelled at a very complex task. Thanks again, Tracy! Dina Boebel and Trish Heidenreich decorated the Reviewing Stand.
I also need to thank the hard-working members of the Bel Air Downtown Alliance, led by Executive Director Christine McPherson and Promotions Director Roman Davidyuk, who managed and prepared matters in Shamrock Park, where scads of folks enjoyed music, hot chocolate and cookies, and who were responsible for the behind-the-scenes coordination, budgeting and production of the entire event.
I also must thank the Town of Bel Air administration, led by Town Administrator Jesse Bane, for its support, and especially that of Director of Economic Development Trish Heidenreich and staff members Angela Robertson and Sandy Saunders. Thanks also to Director of Administration Michael Krantz and Director of Public Works Steve Kline and his hard-working crew, led by Mike Cornett and Freddy, who seemed to be anywhere anything was needed, with exactly the right tools and always the biggest smiles.
The celebration was supported by Town of Bel Air Commissioners Susan Burdette (Chairman), Robert M. Preston, Patrick Richards, Brendan Hopkins and Philip Einhorn. Candy canes were given out Dina Boebel and her family of Elves.
The entire celebration could not have been done without the unflinching support and assistance of the Town of Bel Air Police Department, and especially Police Chief Chuck Moore and Deputy Chief Rick Peschek.
At the parade reviewing stand, Judges Angela Eaves, Beth Bowen, Yolanda Curtin, Susan Hazlett and Mimi Cooper, assisted by Trish Heidenreich, presided, where Tracy Hart from FM 104.7 did a wonderful job narrating the proceedings. Also on the stand as our special guests were General and Mrs. William E. King IV. General King is Commanding General of the 20th CBRNE Command from APG.
The fabulous early entertainment was provided by the Route 66 Band, whose spirited and upbeat music really made Main Street into a “Winter Carnival”!
Participants in the parade included (in alphabetical order): 20th CBRNE Command Color Guard & Personnel, America in Miniature, Applause of Bel Air, Bel Air High School Field Hockey Team, Belcamp Ballers Cheer Team, Black Dogs & Company Rescue Unit, Boys and Girls Clubs of Bel Air, Brownie Scout Troop 2357, Brownie Scout Troop 5953 + Daisy Scouts Troop 1822, Buontempo Brothers/Tower Restaurant, Cub Scout Pack 807, Cub Scout Pack 830, Dance with Me School of Dance, ELSA from FROZEN, FERROUS and RIPCORD from the ABERDEEN IRONBIRDS, Forest Hill Nursery School, FROSTY THE SNOWMAN, Girl Scouts of Central MD Service Unit 674, Girl Scouts of Central MD Service Unit 678, Girl Scout Troop 4804, Girl Scout Troop 5296, Girl Scout Troop 5960. The GREENE TURTLE, The Grinch, HARFORD COUNTY FIRE PREVENTION AMBASSADORS Little Miss Fire Prevention: Ella Schueler, Junior Miss Fire Prevention: Kaitlyn Schueler, Miss Fire Prevention: Mariah Maines, Little Fire Chief: Christian Cockerham, 2015-2016 Maryland State Fireman’s Association Miss Fire Prevention 1st Runner-Up: Gabrielle Kerby, Hoppin’ Hawks, Humane Society of Harford County, JAKE’S WAY-BACK BURGERS BURGER-MAN, Kinetic Youth Academy, LINK and PRINCESS ZELDA, the Living Christmas Tree, McGruff the Crime Dog and the Bel Air Police Explorers, the Mirage Twirling Corp, Miss Bel Air 2015 Shanice Lewis, Miss Maryland 2016 Destiny Clark, Miss Maryland’s Outstanding Teen 2016 Jessica Bayuk, Poe’s-mobile, Prospect Mill Elementary School Girl Scout Unit: Daisy Troop 1639, Brownie Troop 1688, Junior Troop 5280 and Junior Troop 2457. Michael Rosman’s CircusCampStars. Ryan-Kilcoyne School of Irish Dance, Santa & Mrs. Santa in a carriage from Benchfield Farms, Silver Eagle Cloggers, the Society of Italian-American Businessmen, Supernova Dance Company, TWIRLTASTIX and Releve Dance, and the Upper Cross Roads Baptist Church.
Local High School Marching Bands were from Bel Air High School, C. Milton Wright High School, Fallston High School, John Carroll School, Patterson Mill High School, Edgewood High School and Joppatowne High School.
The judges determined the following awards for the parade: 1st Place: Girl Scouts of Central MD Service Unit 674 and its depiction of WHOVILLE; 2nd Place: Cub Scouts Pack 807’s “Sweetest Gifts”; 3rd Place: Girl Scout Troop 5296’s “Peanuts Float”; 1st Honorable Mention: C. Milton Wright High School Marching Band; 2nd Honorable Mention: Twirltastix & Releve Dance; 3rd Honorable Mention: Cub Scout Pack 830 “Racing to the North Pole.”
At Shamrock Park, after the parade, Master of Ceremonies Jim McMahan led the crowd in Christmas Carols, accompanied by a wonderful performance by the Bel Air Community Band, led by Scott Sharnetzka, and the Just Having Fun Singings, led by Kathy Kelly. Free cookies and hot chocolate courtesy of MaGerk’s, Patient First and Enclave. The bonfire was managed and stoked by Jay Van Deusen. At 4:45 pm, there was the traditional tree lighting, created by the Town of Bel Air Public Works Department.
The celebration could not have been produced without the financial support of many local businesses. The Parade was sponsored by SAFE HARBORS BUSINESS TRAVEL, recently named Bel Air Business of the Year! In addition, BAND and UNIT SPONSORS this year included BCV Realty, Corbin Fuel, The Harford Mutual Insurance Company, Howard Bank, The Goddard School, Jones Junction, Klein’s ShopRite of Maryland, Peoples Bank and The Tower Restaurant/Buontempo Brothers. Other business sponsors included Circa Ltd. and Towne Barbers. Country Britches Store on Main Street kindly allowed the parade to use its rooms for “costumed character” changing!
On a personal note, I want to thank the Town of Bel Air and the Bel Air Downtown Alliance for having the heart and sensitivity to mount such a celebration, now well into its third decade. The Holiday Season (whether one celebrates Christmas or Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, or any other holiday) is one of joy, and is the time to celebrate life and family, and to give to charity and to the community. It is the season of hope and rebirth, and of the fellowship of humankind. As the days grow dark and cold, we illuminate and warm our community and our lives by the love we share and with events like this. We look forward to the return of light, warmth and growth, both physical and spiritual, and we pray for peace for us, for our community, and for all humanity.
Yours most sincerely,
Michael Blum
Chairman
Bel Air Christmas Celebration 2015
Hey Mr. Blum,
It was and still is a Christmas parade, not a Holiday parade!! Wake up! This is the reason for the season.
Call it what it really is.
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, and to ALL A GOOD NIGHT!
That’s right – a CHRISTMAS parade!!!
Thank you so very much for your comment. We should never take Christ out of Christmas! The liberals and ACLU are trying hard every day to do exactly that. We as Christians should never let them win. We need to stand strong and united, particularly in light of recent events. The ACLU sickens me. They are nothing more than a liberal bunch of cowards. They will have no problem in filing suit against a school that wants to have a “living” nativity scene. They are real tough guys in that case because they know that good Christians will not usually protest their actions in a physical or violent manner. You don’t see them stepping in when hundreds of Muslims pray in the streets of New York City creating a disturbance and blocking free passage. The city of New York actually utilizes city resources such as police and public works people to assist in this open prayer session. Where is the ACLU when that is happening? They are both cowards and hypocrites. In closing, I again want to express my most profound appreciation for your comments in your effort to defend Christmas. MERRY CHRISTMAS to all and God Bless.
Actually, axial tilt is the reason for the season.
Sol Invictus to all, and to all…shorter nights after December 22!!!
Thank you all so much for having the Route 66 Band open up this years parade, again. I believe that it is our favorite event we do every year. Merry Christmas to all, and a very safe holiday season. All our best, the Route 66 Band.
Rt.66 Band is the reason I attend every year. Great job as always.
Was this parade organized for the sole purpose of celebrating the birth of Christ? Was this a religious parade, with members of the clergy involved, and all marching organizations having a “Christ birth” theme? Did the marching bands play religious music that celebrated the holy season of advent?
Like it or not, celebrations at this time of year are not solely religious, and definitely not solely Christian. Never have been, never will be. You can do a little research on the history of Christmas and Christmas traditions.
I’m not the least bit offended by a manger or any other symbols of the Christian holiday at this time of the year. But I find it interesting that people such as yourself are so offended at the thought that you and your beliefs are part of a larger whole; you are NOT the whole thing, and your beliefs are not the only belief that includes celebrations in and around December 25th. Jesus may be the “reason for the season” for you, but that certainly is not universal. And your beliefs don’t mean that everyone must respect your beliefs while you exclude everyone else.
I do celebrate Christmas, so I will wish you a “Merry Christmas”; and let’s not forget at Christmas time to wish peace for ALL mankind, not just for those who share the same religious beliefs.
“Bel Air is indeed a wonderful, family-friendly place, and it’s events like this that make that clearly apparent to all.”
Well, between the hours of 8am and 8pm before the alcoholics, hipsters and party hards start to fill Looney’s and all of the other adult establishments in the greater Bel Air metropolitan area.
Ricky: “Dear Lord baby Jesus or as our brothers to the south call you, Jesus, we thank you so much for this bountiful harvest of Domino’s, KFC and the always delicious Taco Bell. I just want to take time to say thank you for my family: my two beautiful, beautiful handsome, striking sons Walker and Texas Ranger or T.R. as we call him and of course my red-hot smoking wife, Carley who is a stone-cold fox. Who if you were to rate her ass on 100, it would easilly be a 94. Also wanna thank you for my best friend and teammate, Cal Naughton Jr who’s got my back no batter what.”
Cal: “Shake and Bake.”
Ricky: “Dear Lord baby Jesus, we also thank you for my wife’s father, Chip. We hope that you can use your baby Jesus powers to heal him and his horrible leg. And it smells terrible and the dogs are always bothering with it. Dear, tiny infant Jesus, we–”
Carley: “Hey, um, you know, sweetie, Jesus did grow up. You don’t always have to call him, ‘baby.’ It’s a bit odd and off-putting to pray to a baby.”
Ricky: “Well, I like the Christmas Jesus best and I’m saying grace. When you say grace, you can say it to grownup Jesus or teenage Jesus or bearded Jesus, or whoever you want.”
Carley: “You know what I want? I want you to do this grace good, so that God will let us win tomorrow.”
Ricky: “Dear tiny Jesus in your golden-fleece diapers, with your tiny, little, fat, balled-up fists pawing at the air…”
Chip (Ted Manson): “He was a man. He had a beard.”
Ricky: “Look, I like the baby version the best, do you hear me? I win the races and I get the money.”
Carley: “Ricky, finish the damn grace.”
Cal: “I like to picture Jesus in a Tuxedo T-shirt because it says, like, ‘I wanna be formal…'”
Ricky: “Right.”
Cal: “‘…but I’m here to party too.’ ‘Cause I like to party, so I like my Jesus to party.”
Walker (Houston Tumlin): “I like to picture Jesus as a ninja fighting off evil samurai.”
Cal: “I like to think of Jesus, like, with giant eagle’s wings.”
Ricky: “Yeah.”
Cal: “And singing lead vocal for Lynyrd Skynyrd with, like, a angel band. And I’m in the front row and I’m hammered drunk.”
Carley: “Hey, Cal? Why don’t you just shut up?”
Cal: “Yes, ma’am.”
Ricky: “Okay. Dear, 8-pound, 6-ounce, newborn infant Jesus, don’t even know a word yet, just a little infant and so cuddly, but still omnipotent, we just thank you for all the races I’ve won and the 21.2 million dollars– Whoo!”
Cal: “Whoo!”
Carley: “Whoo!”
The Kids: “Ow!”
Ricky: “Love that money! –that I have accrued over this past season. Also due to a binding endorsement contract that stipulates I mention Powerade at each grace I just wanna say that Powerade is delicious and it cools you off on a hot summer day. And we look forward to Powerade’s release of Mystic Mountain Blueberry. Thank you for all your power and your grace, dear baby God. Amen.”
Carley: “Amen.”
Cal: “Amen!”
Ricky: “Let’s dig in!”
Cal: “That was a hell of a grace, man. You nailed that like a split hog!”
Ricky: “I appreciate that. I’m not gonna lie to you, it felt good.”
I think the judges need to open their eyes a lttle bit. I was at the parade. It was a wonderful showing, as usual, but the judges picks for winners really are off, in my humble opinion. I know everyone is entitled to their own opinion but I think anyone who saw the parade may have made different choices. The choices seem a little political to me. Some of the winners were very unorganized and really didn’t show anything. Don’t get me wrong, they could and probably are great organizations doing good things. But judging implys that you are looking at what they are doing in the parade and not what they do year round. It was very evident that some organizations put a lot of time and thought into their showing and others did not. I’m very disappointed in the line up of winners and honerable mentions.