It’s about that time again—let’s all gather around our newly restored Washington Monument, raise a glass and a cheer, and wish each other a Happy Holiday. Why? Because, as always, it’s a Monumental Occasion.
The 43rd annual Downtown Partnership
Monument Lighting
Thursday, December 4, 5pm-8pm
The Downtown Partnership Monument Lighting will take place on Thursday, December 4, 2014. Now in its 43rd year, the Monument Lighting will feature local entertainers, children’s activities, a visit from Santa, and a spectacular fireworks display and laser show.
A holiday village featuring food and crafts vendors will open in Mount Vernon’s West Park at 5pm. Kids can get their picture taken with Santa, get their face painted, and enjoy arts & crafts. Stage entertainment begins at 6pm with Jon and Regan from the MIX 106.5 Morning Show. At approximately 7:45pm, a special Celebrity Lighter will flip the switch that lights the Monument and starts the fireworks display.
Check out the shops open late during Monument Lighting Shopping Stroll to cross some gifts off your list. Tons of local retailers along North Charles Street will be open from 5-9pm with sales, wine, and hot cocoa. Many restaurants along the corridor will also have drink and food specials. Make a night of it during the most magical holiday event of the year.
Get all the fun Monument Lighting details at GoDowntownBaltimore.com
And thanks to Amy Davis and the Baltimore Sun, for the use of a great photo.
[UPDATE, 11/13/2014]
I wrote this on my blog a few years ago:
Jacob and I never miss the lighting of the Washington Monument on North Charles Street. It’s a December tradition.
The street party is about the beginning of the real Christmas Season for us and it’s about good friends. It’s all about Baltimore. And, fireworks… lots of fireworks.
The event also takes place in our extended front yard.
Every December for the past 39 years, people on Charles Street and the surrounding area have invited friends and neighbors to their homes and businesses to share food, drink, tell stories, and watch the event.
It’s always fun. I enjoy watching the little kids look up at the monument in awe. I also enjoy watching the wide-eyed adults look up in awe and hum along or sing along with the music.
A couple of years ago Jacob and I were invited to a Washington Monument lighting party at Engine Performance— a talent marketing agency—on Charles Street. We were invited by the owners, Scott Robertson and Ann Meade Daniel. They had a great mix of party people there that night: smart, clever, musical, driven, professional, successful, and multi-generational.
Scott poured the wine; Ann Meade was gracious and worked the room with EP project manager, Christine Lembo Hickey.
There were 20-somethings and septuagenarians at EP drinking, snacking, sharing memories, and telling stories of old Baltimore Christmases. It was a great time for all. When everyone headed out to Charles Street to watch the lighting and the fireworks, I watched the people – the older ones and the youngest ones – and made a comment to the group:
“It seems to me that there are two things that make all people look like innocent, little children… falling snow and shooting fireworks.”
A gentleman reached over, gave me a hug, and said, “That’s perceptive, that’s so true. It’s so, so true”.
It was David Tarlow, the owner of Tarllow Furs. I’d only met him once before. Our prior meeting was when he was receiving an award at one of the Historic Charles Street Association’s meetings. Mr. Tarlow and I talked at length later that night and our conversation was, for me, a precious holiday gift—he gifted me with a bit of his wisdom.
