All Are Welcome To Attend These Yuletide Events

It wouldn’t quite feel like the holidays in Severna Park without the celebration of three events that have become traditions for area residents.

The Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce (GSPACC) will bring back Taste & Sip on December 5 and its Christmas tree lighting December 6. Park Plaza will also ring in the season on December 6 with the arrival of Santa.

Now in its 10th year, Taste & Sip will occupy a new venue for the 2019 season as it moves from Homestead Gardens to Chartwell Golf & Country Club.

“We love Homestead, and the staff has been wonderful,” said GSPACC CEO Liz League. “It just made sense this year, to have the event in December instead of before Thanksgiving.”

Taste & Sip invites guests to mingle, sample tasty food and drinks, shop, enjoy live music, and bid on silent auction items that appeal to people of all interests.

Chartwell Golf & Country Club can accommodate additional parking, so guests no longer have to park in a separate lot and be shuttled to the event.

“There’s going to be an infusion of new energy and excitement,” League promised.

GSPACC will follow that event with its Christmas tree lighting on December 6. The chamber will have an open house starting at 5:00pm, and the countdown to the tree lighting will commence at 5:30pm. Visitors can enjoy cookies, meet the Grinch, and relax to the entertainment of a bagpipe player and a performance by Creative Force Dance Center.

“It’s just such a wonderful hometown event that brings the community together to kick off the season,” League said. “It really is like Whoville. Last year, we started out with a small crowd, wondering if people were going to show up, and all these people came out of nowhere.”

Families can make their way to Park Plaza at 6:00pm to see Santa and another Christmas tree lighting. Kids can join Santa for free photos when they make a food or monetary donation to SPAN (Serving People Across Neighborhoods). The event will also feature raffles, a scavenger hunt, and music.

Tickets to Taste & Sip will be available in early November. Stay updated by visiting www.gspacc.com or by following the “Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce” Facebook page.