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Virtual Holiday Happenings
Things may be different this year, but that doesn’t mean we can’t get into the holiday spirit and have some fun. Read on for different ideas we have planned to explore Bowie and celebrate the holidays this year with family and friends.
Holiday House Decorating Contest
See the list of winners below. Congratulations to everyone who competed this year!
House Decorating Contest Winners (pdf)
View the virtual Holiday House Decorating Awards video
Holiday Tree Lighting
The annual Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony was different this year in that the tree lights from around the city were prerecorded and the program featured performers from a previous year. It debuted on December 6 .
You can watch the video any time on
- Bowie YouTube Channel
@CityofBowieMD - On this website at www.cityofbowie.org/broadcasts.
Breakfast with Santa
Since we can't host this annual event at the Senior Center this year, the 2020 Breakfast with Santa was totally virtual.
In the video you'll find a recipe for “Reindeer Pancakes”.
Mrs. Claus will demonstrate how to make a few holiday craft projects. (Instructions are also provided below)
Craft supply packets can now be picked up from the front desk at City Hall.
Santa reads Twas The Night Before Christmas.
View a video message from Mrs. Claus
Breakfast with Santa Crafts
We have come up with four simple holiday crafts that children can make. Links to the instructions are provided below. Mrs. Claus will also demonstrate how to do them during the broadcast. Be sure to pick up a holiday crafts packet at City Hall before then.
How to make English Christmas Crackers
Santa Calling
Parents may complete an online request for Santa or Mrs. Claus to call their child. Staff and community volunteers will coordinate the return calls during December. The registration deadline has passed. Calling took place on December 24.
Electronic “Letters to Santa” Mailbox
This program will provide an online opportunity for kids to send an on-line letter to Santa and get a response from the North Pole. This event is for Bowie residents only. The registration deadline has passed.
Gratitude Board
With the current COVID-19 crisis still rocking our world, it is sometimes challenging to be so cut off from friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors. Still-- there are many things to be thankful for and sometimes taking time to recognize what is good and to express gratitude can be just what is needed to get us through the day or warm our hearts.
Let us know what you are grateful for! Send a brief message or photo that expresses your gratitude via email to csadminstaff@cityofbowie.org. Please limit messages to no more than 15 words.
Your message or photo will be posted on the City of Bowie website and some will be featured on our social media sites. The Gratitude Wall will run for the remainder of 2020.
We look forward to seeing your positive messages and photos on the Bowie Gratitude Wall. If you have any questions, please contact Lori Cunningham at lcunningham@cityofbowie.org.
Best Holiday Recipes
Share the spirit of the holidays! Are there recipes you make that are special to you or that evoke warm memories of holidays past?
Send us your favorite appetizer, side dish and dessert recipes. They will be included in the online Holidays in Bowie Cookbook. Clear photos of your creations will also be accepted. Email to csadminstaff@cityofbowie.org.
To see the Holiday Cookbook, click here!
December Read Aloud
Various staff, committee and community members will showcase the community’s diversity by reading books celebrating Christmas, Hanukah and Kwanzaa. The books will be included as part of the City’s Read Aloud program.
Book Title | Author | Reader |
---|---|---|
Snow Pumpkin | Carole Lexa Schaefer | Kathy Corley, volunteer |
The Thanksgiving Story | Alice Dalgliesh | Kathy Corley, volunteer |
Seven Spools of Thread | Angela Shelf Medearis | Alita Geri-Carter, volunteer Bowie Education Committee |
In an African village live seven brothers who make family life miserable with their constant fighting. When their father dies, he leaves an unusual will: by sundown, the brothers must make gold out of seven spools of thread. If they fail, they will be turned out as beggars. | ||
Hanukkah | Miriam Chaikin | Rabbi Steve Weisman, Temple Solel |
This story describes the history behind Hanukkah and the ways it is celebrated. | ||
Jingle Bugs | David A. Carter | Kathy Corley, volunteer |
Jingle Bugs, Jingle Bugs, Jingle all the way. Here's a merry pop-up book to share on Christmas Day. | ||
The Christmas Tree Ride | Mary Neville | Kathy Corley, volunteer |
Two children and their father go to Mr. Pennyman's tree farm to pick out a Christmas tree and end up making a new friend |
Thanksgiving Turkey Hunt
Find the “Bowie Turkey” hidden at different locations throughout the City. Take a picture of the found “turkey” and post it on Facebook or Instagram using the hashtag #BowieTurkeyhunt.
The goal here is simply to get outdoors, have some fun, and perhaps learn something new about your hometown. And remember, don't forget your mask!
Please see the list below for hints as to where to find the "Bowie Turkeys".
This event is ongoing, and will end December 4th.
- Did you know the City of Bowie has a working sundial? Can you find it?
- In Centennial Park there is an art piece that shows Bowie’s past, present and future. Can you find it?
- Did you know that Bowie is the final resting place of Major Thomas Lansdale who fought in the Continental Army for America’s Independence? Can you find it?
- Do you know who is considered the Father of Bowie Soccer? There are several fields named for him at Allen Pond Park.
- Did you know the one of our city parks was once home to two local African-American sandlot baseball teams, the Mitchellville Tigers and the Washington Blacksox. Can you find it?
- Can you find the third Blues Brother (statue) located in Old Town Bowie?
- Can you find the City of Bowie memorial to all her veterans who have served?
- In Bowie, we have a historic train caboose. Can you find it?
- Did you know the City of Bowie has a memorial stone to the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at one of our historic properties? Can you find it?
- This building was once the home of Omaha & Gallant Fox, the only father and son Triple Crown Winners in horse racing. Can you find it?
- Did you know that there is a Discovery Nature Trail at Whitemarsh Park? Can you find out who it is dedicated to?
- Did you know Bowie has a Memorial Tree section in one of the parks where many residents have chosen to remember loved ones with a tree and a plaque? Do you know which park this is?
For a pdf of these clues, click here.
Thanksgiving Coloring Contest
Do you find coloring relaxing and fun? We've got a Thanksgiving picture you can download and color. Then share it with us. Or you can create your own original design instead!
We'll be choosing winners to receive small prizes for their efforts.
Deadline to enter is November 30th.
Contest age categories:
- - 5 and under
- - 6 to 9
- - 10 to 12
- - 13 to 17
- - 18 to 54
- - 55+
Gratitude Board
With the current COVID-19 crisis still rocking our world, it is sometimes challenging to be so cut off from friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors. Still-- there are many things to be thankful for and sometimes taking time to recognize what is good and to express gratitude can be just what is needed to get us through the day or warm our hearts.
Let us know what you are grateful for! Send a brief message or photo that expresses your gratitude via email to csadminstaff@cityofbowie.org. Please limit messages to no more than 15 words.
Your message or photo will be posted on the City of Bowie website and some will be featured on our social media sites. The Gratitude Wall will run for the remainder of 2020.
We look forward to seeing your positive messages and photos on the Bowie Gratitude Wall. If you have any questions, please contact Lori Cunningham at lcunningham@cityofbowie.org.
Best Holiday Recipes
Share the spirit of the holidays! Are there recipes you make that are special to you or that evoke warm memories of holidays past?
Send us your favorite appetizer, side dish and dessert recipes. They will be included in the online Holidays in Bowie Cookbook. Clear photos of your creations will also be accepted. Email to csadminstaff@cityofbowie.org.
November Read Aloud
Various staff, committee and community members will read fall/ Thanksgiving themed books to be posted as part of the Bowie Reads Aloud program.
Book Title | Author | Reader |
---|---|---|
Snow Pumpkin | Carole Lexa Schaefer | Kathy Corley, volunteer |
The Thanksgiving Story | Alice Dalgliesh | Kathy Corley, volunteer |
Seven Spools of Thread | Angela Shelf Medearis | Alita Geri-Carter, volunteer Bowie Education Committee |
In an African village live seven brothers who make family life miserable with their constant fighting. When their father dies, he leaves an unusual will: by sundown, the brothers must make gold out of seven spools of thread. If they fail, they will be turned out as beggars. |