A much loved holiday tradition is forging ahead to bring good tidings to the Camden area during the first weekend in December, as the Camden Area Business Group presents Christmas by the Sea.
The 35th annual Christmas by the Sea weekend, scheduled for December 3-5, 2021, will include many of the time-honored events that families have come to love, always made more special by the presence of Santa Claus and Elf Ellen, who have participated in Christmas by the Sea weekend since the very beginning.
The weekend kicks off with the holiday parade in downtown Camden on Friday at 6:00 pm, followed by the lighting of a Christmas tree in Harbor Park, with Santa presiding over both events. Those wishing to participate in the Christmas by the Sea parade should contact Holly Anderson at handerson@camdensnowbowl.com to receive a participation form.
On Saturday at 10:00 am, Santa will arrive by boat at the Camden Public Landing, where he’ll have time to greet children before he heads to the Camden Snow Bowl for another official entrance and his traditional reading of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas at 1:00 pm. Photos with Santa and Elf Ellen will take place directly following story time, between 2:00 and 3:30 pm.
On Saturday at 5:00 pm, Santa will make an appearance at the Lincolnville Beach bonfire before retiring for the evening.
Throughout the weekend, area merchants will be open for holiday shopping, and a variety of festive events will be offered by individual businesses and organizations in Camden, Lincolnville and Rockport. Some of these events include cookie decorating (for children and adults), a storefront treasure hunt, a traditional holiday market, Christmas craft fair, a live nativity scene, several musical performances, Beltie Holiday, and many other fun surprises.
For all the details, be sure to check out the Christmas by the Sea events brochure, which is available at the Chamber of Commerce office at 2 Public Landing and also on the Christmas by the Sea Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/christmas.by.the.sea.camden.maine.
In recognition of Christmas by the Sea’s 35th anniversary, a commemorative ornament has been crafted by Wooden Alchemy of Camden. The ornaments feature some of Camden’s iconic symbols of the holiday season, including the Mt. Battie Tower Star and the evergreen tree mounted to the mast of the schooner Mary Day. Ornaments will be for sale at the Chamber office and also at Wooden Alchemy at 19 Elm St. The ornaments are $10 each, and proceeds will benefit the Knox County Homeless Coalition.
The Camden Area Business Group would like to thank the valued sponsors and supporters of Christmas by the Sea, including the Town of Camden/Camden Parks and Recreation, Camden Coast Real Estate, Camden National Bank, Camden Public Library, Camden Real Estate, Craft Delivery Service, The Elms of Camden, First National Bank, Lane Gower Photography, the Town of Lincolnville/Lincolnville Fire Department, Lord Camden Inn, Lyman Morse at Wayfarer Marine, Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce, 16 Bay View, Treeworks Landscape and Arboriculture, Uncle Willy’s Candy Shoppe, and Wooden Alchemy.
