Maryland News

46th Annual Monument Lighting Takes Place In Mount Vernon

December 7, 2017 / 8:53 PM EST / CBS Baltimore

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BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- The region's longest-running holiday tradition took place Thursday night. In Mount Vernon Place, the Washington Monument in Baltimore is now lit up for the holidays.

The 46th Annual Downtown Partnership of Baltimore Monument Lighting continued a longtime tradition that attracts thousands.

"This is the one event around the holidays that really pulls everyone from across the region. You'll see every kind of person, every kind of family,"Mike Evitts of the Downtown Partnership said. "It's just a really easy, laid-back way to settle into the holiday season."

There was 84 strands of lights on the Washington Monument. Each one contains 200 energy sufficient Light Emitting Diodes for a total of 16,800 LED lights.

The lighting featured a holiday village, live performances, and a fireworks display.

Things quickly heated up once R&B superstars and Baltimore's own Dru Hill took the stage performing for the first time a single off their upcoming holiday album.

Because of road closures and the fireworks safety zone, people were asked to enter Mount Vernon Place's West Square from Cathedral Street, not from the Charles Street area.

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