The Chesapeake Bay is full of time-honored holiday traditions, from lighted boat parades that draw dozens of decorated boats to “Christmas trees” built from crab pots or painted crab baskets.
In Oxford, the quieter cousin of Talbot County’s St. Michaels and Easton, the waterfront puts its own special touch on the holiday season. Beginning Saturday, Dec. 5, the Oxford Business Association will hold Christmas on the Creek, a full weekend of festivities that includes the lighting of the town’s signature Christmas trees along the docks.
On Saturday at sundown, the community will gather for the annual lighting of the dock trees (rain or shine). This year, more than 80 trees will be lit on docks around Town Creek. Floating past them would make a magical cruise for brave, bundled-up boaters, but visitors on land can also watch them light up from participating waterfront businesses. The Cutts & Case Shipyard will offer complimentary hot chocolate, and at Campbell’s Town Creek, there will be hot apple cider infused with seasonal flavors and garnishes. Sunset is 4:43 p.m. Saturday, and organizers recommend getting to your viewing location no later than 4:30.
The tradition of Oxford’s lighted dock trees goes back to 1995, when beloved community leader Douglas Hanks, Jr., wanted to welcome his stepdaughter home for the holidays from a year of travel. He and several neighbors built and installed more than a dozen lighted trees on nearby docks to surprise her. It was a hit on Town Creek, and the tree installations have expanded each year over the last three decades.
Today, more than 70 volunteers work together to build and install the trees on the docks of willing waterfront homeowners on Town Creek and Cemetery Cove. Built with 10′ PVC pipes, a plywood base with support for the pole, and anchor hooks, each tree-shaped frame is wound with 400 white lights. All the homeowner pays for is the electricity needed to light the tree. Along with Oxford residents, members of the Oxford Volunteer Fire Department, the staff of the Town of Oxford, and U.S. Coast Guard from the Oxford Station all pitch in as well.
You can get a feel for the dock trees and the magic of the weekend in this video from years past:
New this year in town is a lighting ceremony on the historic Oxford-Bellevue Ferry. Under new ownership, the ferry Talbot will be officially lit at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Oxford ferry dock. Best of all, Santa himself will do the honors. The twinkling lights showcase Oxford’s pride and joy, the oldest continuously operating ferry in America. The ferry will remain lit for holiday spirit and photo ops through Jan. 10, as will the dock trees.
There’s no shortage of holiday fun to make a full day of it, or spend the weekend. On Friday night, Dec. 5, the Oxford Community Center’s jazz series features the Dominick Farinacci & Aaron Diehl Holiday Show. Saturday morning brings the Church of the Holy Trinity’s Christmas Market, with fresh wreaths, handmade gifts, and children’s activities. A Cookie Box Decorating Workshop at the Oxford Firehouse is also perfect for kids, and it sets you up for the 3rd Annual Cookie Walk around town. For crafting enthusiasts of all ages, the Water’s Edge Museum is hosting an Oyster Shell Ornament Painting Workshop. While you’re there, check out the Black Watermen on the Chesapeake exhibit.
A holiday train exhibit is on display at the Oxford Museum. Shops in town will have winter sale specials, too. The weekend ends with a classic Breakfast with Santa at the firehouse Sunday morning.
Christmas on the Creek is organized by the Oxford Business Association, which serves as the collective voice of Oxford’s businesses. The full schedule and more information are at portofoxford.com.
