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ights, kayaks, and a parade. Oriental celebrated the Spirit of Christmas weekend December 11-13.

Peeking around the corner of golf cart during the Christmas Parade.

Spirit of Christmas happens every year, beginning with the lighting of the Tree of Names and Lights in Lou Mac Park Thursday nights. Ornaments on the tree hold the names of loved ones. Red topped ornaments are in honor of, green topped ornaments are in memoriam.

The winners of the Light Up Oriental decorating contest are announced.

The oak tree at Lou Mac park wrapped in lights.

Friday, businesses open their doors and serve refreshments as thanks to the community for their business throughout the year. The Pamlico Choir performs and the luminaria – white bags holding tea lights – are deployed along Oriental’s main streets and on the Oriental bridge.

An old Ford, decked in the Christmas spirit.

A lighted kayak flotilla paddles around the harbor at dusk, followed by the lighting of the Christmas star at the Hodges Street dock. The Pamlico Chorale sings carols at the Methodist church later in the evening.

Saturday, business open houses are joined by the Christmas Parade at 1p. The Children’s Theater performs a live Nativity in the afternoon, then a Christmas Cantata at the First Baptist Church in the evening.

VP of Student Services Jamie Gibbs and PCC President Zac Schnell are ready to hand out candy parade as the Cat in the Hat and the Grinch.

Mary and Joseph contemplate parenthood at the Live Nativity.

Making a batch of grits for over a 100 people at Luby’s Breakfast Saturday morning.

The Oriental Village Veterinary office lit up on Broad Street. (Joe Clark photo)

A snowman crime scene in front of Officer Wichrowski’s house. (Joe Clark photo)

Mary waits on the steps of Oriental UMC for her cue.

Lighted kayaks and paddleboards meander through Oriental’s harbor.

The star at the Hodges Street dock is lit.

Pepi Stahlman answers the question, “What happened to Liberace’s Christmas sport jacket?”

Waiting on that parade candy.

Dan & Leslie Allen won the Light Up Oriental contest for most nautically themed lights. (Joe Clark photo)

Oriental Village Veterinary office staff: Kelly rides a golf cart while Ben walks the staff dogs. Petey says hello. Wendy struts with her dog beside them all.

At the parade start. (Joe Clark photo)

Making gingerbread houses at Brantley’s. (Joe Clark photo)

Kayaks stage under the bridge before the start of the flotilla (Joe Clark photo). And various Santas paddle around the harbor.

Emerson Gaskins was crowned this year’s Croaker Queen.

Pastor Anne Sims of Oriental United Methodist Church ferries a waving dragon through the parade.

Kids scramble for parade candy.

A couple of horses mosey down the parade route.

Golf carts were the travel choice du jour. From top, Mayor Sally Belangia and husband Ken Belangia, the crew from Brantley’s dressed as Cindy Lou Who and the Grinch, and Realtor Anne Marie Wolf and friends.

PAWS, the Pamlico Animal Welfare Society, sells hot dogs in front of Dr. Hicks’ office before the parade start. (Joe Clark photo)

Don’t try this at home.

Lighting the luminaria along Oriental’s bridge. (Joe Clark photo)

The Dragon Masters ride their dragon boat, Pamlico Highschool Cheerleaders bring some cheer, and a couple of elves toss out candy.

Santa gets a Coast Guard Escort.

The Chinese dragon makes an appearance. (Joe Clark photo)

Ken Belangia plays carols for Friday night’s lighted flotilla.

The Tree of Names and Lights honors loved ones here and loved ones lost.

The Grinch gives hair cuts on the Harbor View Day Spa float.

Kids – and Spiderman – wave hello. (Joe Clark photo)

Eric Kindle, Zan Dawe and Terry Walsh toss candy from a Station 19’s antique fire truck.

Keeping warm on the water. (Joe Clark photo)

It takes community volunteers to make the Spirit of Christmas happen. To creating ornaments for the Tree of Names and Lights, to prepare and set up the luminaries, to wrangle the parade participants, and to get all the business, contests, and details together.

Hats off to Parade Master Bobbi McKenney, and to Marsha of Marsha’s Cottage.

Marsha has the job of herding the Spirit of Christmas ‘cats’ into a cohesive event. Next time you’re near her store, stop in and say thanks. She wouldn’t mind if you asked how you can help out next year.

The Spirit of Christmas happens the second weekend of every December. Next year’s event is December 10-12, 2026.

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Photos by Allison DeWeese and Keith Smith unless otherwise noted.

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Posted Wednesday December 17, 2025 by Allison DeWeese