There is one night each year when sparks really fly at Baltimore?s Washington Monument.
It?s tonight, the 35th annual lighting of the Washington Monument. While most other cities are lighting pine trees, Baltimore strings lights up the 178-foot column dedicated to George Washington.
“It?s kind of quirky,” said Mike Evitts, spokesperson for Downtown Partnership. “It?s a uniquely Baltimore event.”
The tradition began in 1971, when a group of neighbors gathered around the monument, strung lights up and sang carols, said Evitts.
“It?s grown a lot over the years, from a neighborhood group of a couple dozen people to a live audience of over 5,000,” he said.
The Walters Art Museum will be holding their annual Wassail at the Walters, a sort of prelude to the lighting ceremony. Wassail is a hot, spiced cider typically made around the holidays.
“It?s a great holiday festival for families of all sizes and people of all ages,” said Jessica Weglein, promotions assistant at the Walters. “[There will be] music and food and people will get to see the [Walters] in a different setting.”
The Friends School of Baltimore choir will perform and there will hands-on art activities for children and free docent-led tours of the Walters, said Weglein.
The monument lighting, which should take place around 6:50 p.m.,reaches its climactic end with a four-minute fireworks display, but the night will not end there, Evitts said.
“There are literally more than 100 restaurants in the area within walking distance,” he said. “We?re hoping the monument lighting will just be the start of someone?s evening.”
If you go
Annual Lighting of the Washington Monument and Wassail at the Walters
» Venue: The Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles St., Baltimore and Mt. Vernon Place
» Time: 5 to 8:30 p.m.
» Cost: Free
» More info: thewalters.org or godowntownbaltimore.com
