CAMBRIDGE – Locals and visitors from across the Eastern Shore filled the city’s sidewalks on Saturday evening to enjoy the annual Cambridge-Dorchester Christmas Parade. This year’s theme was, “Peace on Earth.”

The Maple Elementary School Marching Lions led the two-hour procession through the center of town, the first primary school ever to do so. The Lions also took first place in the Middle School Band category, with 88.9 points.

Honor guards from the Cambridge Police Department and the Dorchester Sheriff’s Office accompanied the colors down Race Street, at the head of a colorful collection of bands, fire trucks, community groups and more.

Occupying the Grand Marshals’ Float were a trio of Navy veterans, Bobby Herbert, R. Shelby Clendaniel and Robert Brian Sturgis. The men represented all servicemen and women.

It was the 69th Christmas parade in the city, which for many years has been one of the biggest in Maryland. The event was organized by a volunteer committee headed this year by Chairman Bruce McWilliams.

Margaret Henry is treasurer. Rounding out the committee are Linda Horsman, Frank Horsman, Kim Maxwell Ewell, Danielle Dickerson and Pamela Gray.

“We are a small group of Dorchester County residents interested in keeping the spirit of the holidays alive in our beautiful county,” a statement on their website says. “The Cambridge-Dorchester County Christmas Parade, Inc. Committee thanks all participants, volunteers, spectators, and most importantly, our donors for another successful parade. See you in 2018!”

Results

• High School Band - 1st Snow Hill, 97.4 points; 2nd Mardela Middle & High, 96 points; and 3rd North Dorchester 95.4

• Middle School Band - 1st Maple Elementary, 88.9 points; and Mace’s Lane, 86.3 points

• Individual Band Awards High Point – Best Drum Major, Mardela; Best Band Front, North Dorchester; Best Percussion, Snow Hill; and Best Overall, Snow Hill

Division Winners

• Commercial Float, Judged - Dorchester Dumping

• Non-Commercial Adult Float - Cambridge Multi-Sport Club

• Non-Commercial Youth Float – Eastern Shore Dance Academy

• Equestrian Unit – Spicer Hill Farms

• Marching Unit on Foot – Dancing Divas

• Fire Department – Church Creek

• Antique Auto 1900-1948 – Tri-Gas & Oil

• Classic Auto 1949-1989 – East Coast Cruisers

• School-Sponsored Club – Countryside Christian School

• Judges’ Choice – Maple Elementary School Drum Line

To learn more about the parade, visit the committee’s website, www.christmasparade.org.