(11/25) Despite a global pandemic, communities around the world will still be celebrating Christmas, although it may not look quite the same … overall.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, "Christmas in Thurmont" will be very different from the last seventeen years that the celebration has been held. According to the town’s Economic Development program staff, "Christmas in Thurmont will take on an entirely different approach to try to spread some holiday cheer in such a challenging year."

Economic Development Manager Vickie Grinder noted, "After considering safe practices for all, but yet providing some fun, we have decided to do the map, and visits with Santa - just in a different way."

Two "traditional" aspects of Thurmont’s Christmas celebrations have included handing out maps for participants to have stamped at different locations around town, and visits with Santa Claus … and both will be held again this year - in spite of coronavirus issues.

In previous years, map-stamping was completed on the day of "Christmas in Thurmont," but this year, map-stamping will be held … spanning multiple days, from "Small Business Saturday," November 28, until December 9. All completed stamped maps must be submitted to the Town Office by 4 p.m. on December 9. Holding this activity over multiple days will allow more time for participants to complete the stamping of all the squares.

Grinder said, "Christmas in Thurmont, from its inception was, and still is … an avenue to encourage a spirit of community and giving, and to also encourage support for local businesses. The map-stamping is for adults, and we ask that you consider donating a monetary contribution, gift certificates, or merchandise for prizes for our Christmas in Thurmont map-stamping,"

After December 9, the staff at the town office will draw the completed map entries for these prizes. All prize donors will be acknowledged on social media and included in the December newsletter that are inserted in electric bills.

Visits with Santa have always been scheduled on the first Saturday in December, but this year these visits will be by reservation, and a Zoom-link will be provided for a scheduled time to meet with Santa from the North Pole.

Thurmont will also host the town’s 3rd Annual Holiday Train Display, sponsored by the Frederick County Society of Model Train Engineers. Thanks to the generosity of Thurmont Plaza, this year’s display will be held in a vacant space at that location.

If you would like to donate a monetary contribution … or gift-certificates … or gift-cards, please send mail to Thurmont Main Street, 11 Water Street, 21788. If mailing a check, please make it payable to the Town of Thurmont.

For more information about visiting the virtual Santa Cause, or if someone or group might have a prize they would like to donate, or need staff to come to pick up a donation, contact Karen Schildt at: kschildt@thurmontstaff.com, or by calling 240-285-8076; or Vickie Grinder at vgrinder@thurmontstaff.com, or by calling 240-626-9980.