Eastern Baltimore County News
The Dundalk Christmas Tree Lighting will be held this Sunday, Nov. 29 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Poplar Place Center at the corner of Wise Avenue and Merritt Boulevard.
This is a completely outdoor event and face coverings and social distancing are required. Santa, the Grinch and live horses will be there.
The event is being hosted by the Eastern Regional LIONS CLUB.
For more information, go to the Dundalk Christmas Tree Lighting Facebook page.
Eastbaltco.com reported in September that the White Marsh Volunteer Fire Company still planned to hold its second annual train garden. Now WMVFC has released the dates, COVID-19 guidelines and a link to reserve a time to visit the train garden.
“In order to accommodate additional guests at our Train Garden, we will be opening two weeks early! We will now open this Saturday Nov. 14 at 9 a.m.,” said a statement on the WMVFC Facebook site.
General admission is Saturday & Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Monday through Friday 3 to 9 p.m. Private scheduled Admission is from 2 to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday. To schedule an appointment go to https://calendly.com/wmvfc/15min?month=2020-11
COVID policies are in place to help provide a safe and enjoyable visit.
COVID Policies: Masks must be worn and hand sanitizer is highly encouraged due to the perimeter railing.
The number of guests in the display will be limited and WMVFC asked guests to be patient with COVID restrictions.
“Prior to the Governor’s announcement [on Tuesday], we had decided to cap our indoor attendance for the train garden at 20 people. Fortunately, we are under the recommended guidelines from the Governor.”
Admission is free and donations are encouraged. No access or tours will be provided in the station. Public restrooms are available.
This appears to be the only train garden in the area as Wise Avenue Volunteer Fire Company cancelled their train garden for 2020.
Tree lighting ceremony to be held virtually
The AVENUE at WHITE MARSH released a statement on its website that it will not host its holiday parade in 2020 and will hold a virtual tree lighting ceremony.
“As our businesses and management team collectively address the many challenges presented in 2020 – we are faced with the reality that the upcoming holiday season will require a different approach to hosting our favorite community traditions. Lining the streets with thousands of people in celebration as we light our magnificent tree, along with cheering from the sidelines as we come together to watch our holiday parade, will not be permitted or appropriate in today’s environment,” said the statement.
“That said, it is with heavy hearts that we accept THE AVENUE at White Marsh 23rd Annual Tree Lighting will be virtual and our 22nd White Marsh Holiday Parade will be postponed until December, 2021.”
The AVENUE joins the Wise Avenue Volunteer Fire Company Train Garden to officially cancel its holiday events for 2020 as a result of COVID-19.
The White Marsh Volunteer Fire Company Train Garden and Essex Tree Lighting are still hold their events for 2020. There have been no other official announcements about the continuation and/or cancellations about other holiday events in Eastern Baltimore County. Eastbaltco.com will report those events when they are announced.
The AVENUE at WHITE MARSH said the virtual tree lighting can be viewed on on the Avenue’s Facebook and Instagram pages.
Heritage Society of Essex and Middle River will continue its tradition of holding its annual Essex Community Tree lighting on Saturday, Dec. 5 from 5 to 7 p.m.
The tree lighting will take place at the Heritage Society of Essex and Middle River at 416 Eastern Blvd.
Santa will be at this free event.
Face coverings and social distancing required.
For more information, visit the Heritage Society Of Essex And Middle River Facebook page.
Here is a list of public Halloween events in Eastern Baltimore County. It appears that all events are free and family friendly. All events are following COVID-19 safety protocols. There are probably many more. If your organization is hosting a free and kid friendly Halloween event, please contact us at eastbaltco@gmail.com so we can add your event to our list.
Sunday, Oct. 18
Dundalk Merchants In The Park Halloween
Support Soup For A Soul and the merchants of Dundalk Village & over 60 vendors of Merchants In The Park.
Trick-or-Treating is allowed with an adult with merchants & participating stores from 11am – 2pm. Vendor event is 10am – 3pm. Food will be available also.
The 4th Merchant’s In The Park event will take place Sunday, Oct. 18 from 10am – 3pm. This time bring your children between 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. and have them dressed up in a costume to receive a treat from each of the vendor tables and participating Merchants in Dundalk Village Shopping Center.
**OVER 60 VENDORS WILL BE PARTICIPATING!**
Most importantly don’t forget to bring donations for Soup For The Soul & purchase raffle tickets from them to win items from all of our AWESOME VENDORS/CRAFTERS.
Children must be accompanied by an adult. Everyone must wear a mask and practice social distancing.
Friday, Oct. 23
Boo Drive Thru at Honeygo Park
Baltimore County Department of Rec, and Parks will hold a Boo Drive Thru on Friday Oct. 23 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Honeygo Regional Park in Perry Hall. This event celebrates Halloween with a drive-though style. Local organizations will pass out prepackages bags to families in vehicles.
Saturday, Oct. 24
Fort Howard Trunk or Treat
The Fort Howard Haunted Dungeons will hold a park wide trunk or treat on Saturday, Oct. 24 from 2 to 5 p.m. Fort Howard park 9500 North Point Road. Social distancing measures will be in place. Participates must wear a mask / face covering while in the park where social distancing is not possible and during the event. It is free event.
Friday, Oct. 30
Eastpoint Mall Trunk or Treat
Eastpoint Mall will hold Trunk or Treat from 5:30 – 7 p.m. at the overflow parking lot off of North Point Blvd (between JCPenney and Burlington)
This is in partnership with Eastern Regional Lions, Dundalk Optimist Club, Holabird Middle PTSA & Dangerously Delicious Pies
All patrons and participants will be required to wear face masks at all times throughout the event.
Saturday, Oct. 31
Dundalk Post 38 Trunk or Treat
Post 38 is having a ‘Trunk-or-Treat’ event on Saturday, Oct. 31 from 3 – 6 p.m. for all the little ghosts and ghouls in our community. This will be a great and safe way for our kids to enjoy Halloween, come in costume, load up on great candy, play games, sit on a prop Electric Chair and other surprises.
We invite parents, our neighbors and local businesses to come with trunks full of candy (commercial wrapped only please) to distribute. You can decorate your vehicle and come in costume (we will have a contest for best decorated car!)
The event will be held in the Parking Lot and Outdoor Patio of Post 38 at 3300 Dundalk Ave.
Call 443-421-5001 or 410-288-2297 for more info.
Cars with candy should arrive by 2:30 pm to setup. Of course we will be observing all COVID-19 safety protocols.
