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Council approves holiday and community events after debate over fire pits
Summary
Havre de Grace council approved three community events (Christmas in the Park, Ice Festival and Sea of Remembrance) and debated DPW fire pit use for the Christmas event; a motion to remove the fire pits failed for lack of a second and the event was approved with organizers to staff each pit and have extinguishers on site.
The Havre de Grace City Council on Nov. 17 approved three upcoming community events: Christmas in the Park (Dec. 23, Tidings Memorial Park), the Havre de Grace Ice Festival (Feb. 21, 2026) and the Sea of Remembrance Walk (May 30, 2026). Each event passed by the council with affirmative votes.
Christmas in the Park, presented by Restore Church (speaker Thomas Dennison raised the event during public comment), requested use of two Department of Public Works wood‑burning half‑barrel fire pits and a light tower. Doctor Ritchie, Director of Administration, told council that DPW can provide two fire pits placed on concrete blocks to avoid grass damage and that event organizers had consulted the fire company for safety guidance.
Council Member Schneggis moved to remove the fire pits from the event application, citing safety concerns; the motion failed for lack of a second. Council discussed mitigation: organizers will staff each fire pit with a person stationed at each and provide fire extinguishers, and DPW will position the pits on blocks to protect the turf.
Council approved Christmas in the Park (Dec. 23, 6–8 p.m.), Ice Festival and Sea of Remembrance by voice votes (recorded as 6‑0 affirmatives). The approvals included standard event conditions (public safety staffing, coordination with DPW, and use of city assets subject to operational constraints such as water‑main responses that could reassign light towers).
The council asked staff to ensure clear documentation of event maps and safety plans in the event file; organizers were present and available for questions.
