DECEMBER 11, 2025
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BERLIN • NORTH WORCESTER COUNTY• OCEAN PINES
Fire assn. pursues Berlin for its parade Traditional part of annual state convention sees loss of participation in resort
TARA FISCHER/BAYSIDE GAZETTE
BERLIN PARADE Santa Claus has been moved back from the last entry to front of the Berlin Christmas Parade in recent years to allow the children to get a look and waive from the jolly one. Thousands turned out last Thursday night for the annual parade. Top, Trimper’s float is pictured. See story on page 3.
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (Dec. 11, 2025) The Maryland State Firefighters’ Association wants to relocate its annual June parade from Ocean City to Berlin; and intends to make a formal presentation to the mayor and Town Council in January. Mayor Zack Tyndall advised the council that the association’s request was brought to the mayor’s attention by Berlin Fire Company President David Fitzgerald, who said the association had seen declining participation in its annual Ocean City procession. He attributed that to the parade’s summertime Wednesday timeslot and the traffic that generates along the route. After surveying members, the association found many would attend more readily if the parade were held on a weekend. However, as the event is scheduled for June, Ocean City’s prime tourist season, a Saturday parade on June 20 would pose logistical challenges that are not easily manageable for the resort destination. “Taking that feedback, the [Maryland State Firefighters’ Association] See STATE Page 5
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Bayside Gazette
Page 2
December 11, 2025
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Bayside Gazette
Officials maintain parade night went smooth in Berlin In weeks leading to event, town’s new policy on chairs and parking auction ripped By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (Dec. 11, 2025) Berlin’s annual Christmas Parade last week went off without a hitch, with staff giving positive reports on the new chair placement restrictions, favorable weather, and the new parking lot at the corner of West and Washington streets. That was the assessment presented to the Berlin mayor and council Monday, Dec. 8 during an event review. The procession took place on Thursday, Dec. 4, beginning at 7 p.m., featuring performances by local high school and middle school bands and choirs, along with floats. Last week was the 54th year of the popular parade, and Berlin leaders maintained that it was one of the smoothest the town has seen. “Every year it gets better and better and I think this year just from the planning standpoint, the day of, the after reports, just talking to other staff, talking to the community, talking with police, it was completely un-
eventful with the exception of the event,” said Ivy Wells, the town’s economic and community development director. Part of the reason for that success, staff said, was the enforcement of the new policy that restricted when residents and visitors could place chairs and blankets along Main Street to reserve their seats. In previous years, it wasn’t uncommon for the pedestrian paths to be lined with chairs by 6 a.m. the day of the Christmas Parade by those looking to ensure a front row viewing position. However, this year, the municipality announced that seats could not be set up until the road was officially closed for the event, about two hours before the start time. Town staff and elected officials said that the decision was made to enforce this restriction to maintain safety. Wind would often blow chairs onto the road, creating traffic hazards, and the sidewalks would be too crammed for shoppers, especially those with disabilities, to conveniently navigate. The chair policy will be enforced for other popular events, including See TOWN Page 4
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