DECEMBER 2, 2012 — Northampton High School Band, under the direction of Jason Burnett, performed Christmas music in the pavilion at Central Park Saturday night for the annual Grand Illumination in the Park. Cape Charles Vice Mayor Chris Bannon welcomed the band, noting that he had not heard them perform in Cape Charles in 10 years. Saturday’s Grand Illumination carried the tradition into its third year. Children thrilled to rides on a pony train along the park sidewalk ringed with candles, which resembled an airport runway at night. Every spectator received an unlit candle, and members of the Cape Charles Police and Volunteer Fire departments, led by Police Chief Sambo Brown, each lit a spectator’s candle. Each lit candle was then used to light other candles until all were lit. Nancy Daniel Vest read a 1959 Christmas poem urging charity and forgiveness for the season, as well as starting the new year off fresh. At the conclusion of the ceremony, Mayor Dora Sullivan led a countdown to the Grand Illumination, when trees throughout the park were lit with Christmas lights. Special mention was made of the tree planted in honor of the late Melvin Dudley, a well-remembered friend of the Town and the park. The festivities then continued with a parade of illuminated golf carts which made their way to Mason Avenue’s Palace Theatre, where the Christmas classic “It’s a Wonderful Life” was shown. Earlier in the day, the Cape Charles Christian School held a Santa’s House (which will be repeated next Saturday), and the Town’s Bed & Breakfasts joined in a “Cookie Trail” open house. With the opening of Bay Haven Inn at 403 Tazewell Avenue, owned and operated by Jim and Tammy Holloway, Cape Charles now has five B&Bs, and a sixth nearby on King’s Creek. (Wave photo)