On December 7, the New Market community came together to kick off the holiday season with their annual “Christmas in New Market” parade. 

The parade brought local businesses, restaurants, community groups and sports teams together to celebrate the beginning of the 2024 holiday season. 

The “Christmas in New Market” event has been held for years, becoming a tradition for families to attend. While the heart of this event is the parade, there are many other activities to take part in on Main Street.

New Market resident Kim Ragan was one of the four commissioners this year, along with Val Vinson, Heather Blanton and Katie Malone.

These four women were new to organizing the event this year. Those who had organized the event in the past had stepped back, and these four were determined to keep the beloved tradition alive in New Market. 

Ragan explained that the parade planning began in mid-September when they first found out the previous organizers had stepped back. They all had to work very quickly to make sure the event was seamless. 

The organizers were provided a budget from the town of New Market to make sure they had everything they needed. In one afternoon, they were able to purchase all the decorations for Main Street and the park. 

Fortunately, Ragan did not have any issues recruiting volunteers for this year’s event. 

“It was easy to gather participants for the parade,” Ragan said. “We had over 60 groups of people who were in the parade. Everyone was very eager and excited that the parade and the ‘Christmas in New Market’ was going to continue, and I think we made it even better than it ever had been.”

Linganore High School (LHS) senior Eva Bailey was a participant in the parade this year. She dances at the Mid Maryland Performing Arts Center (MMPAC) and has participated in the parade with her dance company the last four years. 

Bailey shared her favorite parts of the parade this year. 

“The energy was really good,” Bailey said. “There were tons of people there, and I think it was one of the biggest turnouts I’ve seen. My favorite part of the parade this year was throwing candy to the kids because they are always so happy to receive it.”

Patti Kelly is the commissioner for the LOUYAA Pom and Dance program, which has been involved in the parade for years. Kelly shared how this year’s parade felt different from the others. 

“To me, this year’s parade felt different,” Kelly said. “It seemed like more people came out this year, and that everyone was really in the holiday mood. I think that folks, and some community groups, may have realized just what this small-town Christmas celebration meant to them. And, when it was in danger of becoming a thing of the past, they came out strong to show their support for a tradition that they would like to see continue.”

Overall, this year’s parade was a hit, leaving the community eager for next year’s “Christmas in New Market.”