Sailing Through The Winter Solstice On Carroll Creek
Updated: Feb 12, 2019
While winter isn't officially here for a few more weeks it is in full swing in Downtown Frederick MD. Color On The Creek successfully presented it's 2018 Fleet on Carroll Creek this past Saturday November 18th for it's 3rd year of Sailing Through The Winter Solstice. This years boats included a Three Masted Schooner, a replica of the 1886 Rickmer Rickmers from Hamburg Germany, and a mythically themed Viking boat called the Snallygaster which had to be loaded into the creek by two front end loaders.
The first boat to be loaded into the creek was the Hurwitz Foundations Pink Ribbon Breast Cancer Awareness boat drawing a huge round of applause from the 200 to 300 person crowd. The second boat loaded in was Stargazer for it's 3rd year on the creek with a first year sponsorship from BBT Bank. The 3rd boat loaded in was the Carroll Creek Clipper by the Frederick Rotary Club followed by FPCA Starry night from organizer and local physician Pete Kremers.
The 5th boat loaded in was the Snallygaster named after local Frederick Folklore dating back to the early 1900's. As mentioned before 2 front end loaders had to be brought in to load this monster into the creek while all the other boats were loaded in by about 10 strong men with makeshift boat ramps which looked a like an especially tough job to do. I had a chance to speak with one of the Snallygasters owner Vicki Poole who talked about the amount of work her and her husband Ed, her 2 sons and their partners Thom and Teresa Beckly put into this boat and that they weren't even sure it was going to float when dropped in the water. Needless to say they were filled with excitement that the day was finally here but also filled with angst not knowing whether the boat would float. Fortunately after many crossed fingers the boat was successfully dropped and is part of the fleet. Everything on the boat was hand crafted right down the flames coming out of the dragons mouth. Please check out Vicki's charity Glade Valley Community Services of of Walkersville MD they're doing a lot of great work over there including Back To School Project, Emergency Services, Food Bank, Holiday Toy Shop and Thrift Store.
The 6th boat loaded into the creek was probably my favorite boat which was The Spirit Of Maryland designed by STTWS event organizer Kyle Thomas made to look like the iconic Maryland Flag with sponsored Property Management People with proceeds going to The religious Coalition. The 7th boat was the aforementioned Rickmer Rickmers too sponsored by Stultz Manufacturing with proceeds going to (SHIP) Student Homeless Initiative Partnership. The 8th and 9th boats are Lightship "Welcome" by the Council of Frederick County with proceeds going to Color On the Creek and Lightship "Snake Dog" Sponsored by Flying Dog Brewery with proceeds also going to Color On the creek. The tenth boat "Heavens to Betsy" is perched atop of Brewers Alley Sponsred by The Berkheimer group with proceeds going to Color on The Creek.
This years STTWS will run through the Fire and Ice Celebration on First Saturday in February so take a nice walk along the creek and check out these amazing accomplishments by the people who worked so hard at putting together this one a kind event. Be sure to Vote Your Favorite Boat at Colors On The Creek in early December and donate to one of the many charities that are supporting this event. By the end of ten weeks the boat that raises the most money wins, last year the event raised $20,000 for local charities. The one thing I notice most when out talking to folks is that people who live in Frederick love Frederick, love supporting their local businesses and love it's unique events. What's not to love? We have a great little town with great people that have great ideas.