4th Annual Candle Lights On The Creek 2023

Join us on Carroll Creek this New Year’s Eve to send off 2023 and welcome in the new year!

We will start with a big candle launch at 10pm all along Carroll Creek!

Here is what to expect:

Candle Launch: 10pm

Candles officially launch at 10pm to kick off our event! Come grab your candles from the Trellis at Carroll Creek and Market Street and launch them into Carroll Creek with us! This year, we want to do it together!

Firepits: 9pm – Midnight

Stay warm in front of the fire! We will have a few firepits along the way to keep everyone cozy!

Games and activities: 10pm – Midnight

Our Sailing Through The Winter Solstice Boat sponsors will be at the Carroll Creek Amphitheater from 10pm – Midnight with games, photobooth, and fun activities for everyone!

Food Trucks: 9:30pm – Midnight

We will have Arepa Queen and Mr. Cheesecake parked at Carroll Creek Amphitheater with food, desserts and hot chocolate!

The Dapper DJ’s: 9pm – Midnight

The Dappy DJs will be on the creek playing the best music to welcome 2024!

Schedule of events

8:45pm – 9:45pm boat rides; line up under the suspension bridge.

9pm – 10pm Key 103 & Volunteers handing out the candle, a performance by Theatricks and you can also start your scavenger hunt (Trellis area).

10pm – Count down and community candle launch!

9pm – midnight vendor interactive games, fire pits and food trucks along with Dapper DJ (Amphitheater)

9pm – 11:30pm scavenger hunt by Surelocked In (all along the creek)

Be A Sponsor For Candlelights On The Creek!

We are proud to announce the 4th annual Candlelights On The Creek New Year’s Eve celebration!

We are expecting sponsorships for this year’s event. Interested in taking part? Email sttwsmd@gmail.com

Sponsorship Levels

CAPTAIN Sponsor: $1000

  • Separate company banner displayed at event
  • Mention in all promotional radio and social media ads
  • Shoutouts at the event

FIRST MATE Sponsor: $500

  • Logo on event banner
  • Mention on all social media ads
  • Shoutouts at the event

DECK HAND Sponsor: $250

  • Logo on event banner
  • Mention on certain social media ads

Gearing Up To Set Sail! The 23-24 Fleet

Sailing Through The Winter Solstice 2023 – 2024

Our crew has been hard at work this summer gearing up to launch our 2023 – 2024 fleet to sail along Carroll Creek Linear Park. The boats will start their voyage on November 18th and sail through Frederick until March.

We have 28 boats taking part this year along with our 2 Landsharks, Heavens to Betsy, and The Holly Jolly Roger, which can be seen in front of Wine Kitchen following the Kris Kringle Parade through Downtown Frederick.

Starting Their First Voyage

Scholar Ship
– Sponsored By Frederick Community College
– Benefiting The FCC Foundation

Dancing Queen
– Sponsored By Vintage MC
– Benefiting Operation Paws For Homes

Mass Ascension
– Sponsored By Thompson Gas
– Benefiting

Where The Wild Things Are
– Sponsored By Middletown Valley Bank
– Benefiting COIPP

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever
– Sponsored By Stultz
– Benefiting SHIP


Returning This Year

Colleen’s Crew
– Sponsored by New Era Custom Design and Cabinet
– Benefiting Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

Handel It
– Sponsored by KH Sales and Consulting
– Benefiting Frederick Children’s Chorus

No place like home
– Sponsored by Team Reeder at Long and Foster Real Estate
– Benefiting Frederick County Humane Society

SS Pinwheel
– Sponsored by Premier Choice Exteriors
– Benefiting Friends of the Child Advocacy Center

Kraken A Truth
– Sponsored by Flying Dog
– Benefiting SHIP

Lady Liberty
– Sponsored by Matan
– Benefiting Project Linus Frederick County Chapter

The Black Pearl
– Sponsored by Oldetowne Landscape Architects
– Benefiting Downtown Partnership

The Ribbon Cutter
– Sponsored by Morgan Keller Construction
– Benefiting City Youth Matrix

The Arctic Racer
– Sponsored by Ausherman Family Foundation
– Benefiting Ausherman Family Foundation

S.S. Andrew Lee
– Sponsored by Driven to Cure
– Benefiting Driven to Cure

The VASA
– Sponsored by Truist
– Benefiting Frederick Mission and Faith House

Starry Night
– Sponsored by Frederick Primary Care
– Benefiting Heartly House and Steadfast

USS Frederick Towne
– Sponsored by High Caliber Home Inspections
– Benefiting Key City Rotary

Carroll Creek Clipper
– Sponsored by Carroll Creek Rotary
– Benefiting SOAR Frederick

The Snallygaster and Twins
– Sponsored by Landscape Services, Inc.
– Benefiting Foxie G Foundation

Spirit of Apprentice
– Sponsored by Dynamic Automotive
– Benefiting Christmas Cash for Kids

Ally Cat
– Sponsored by Embrace Home Loans
– Benefiting Steadfast

USS Hood
– Sponsored by Hood College
– Benefiting Hood College SHIP scholarship

Zodiac
– Sponsored by Monocacy Equine
– Benefiting Days End Horse Rescue

SS Greater Good
– Sponsored by Delaplaine Arts Center
– Benefiting Delaplaine Arts Center

Hometown Heros
– Sponsored by Stauffer Funeral Homes
– Benefiting What would Stew Dew Fund

SEVA
– Sponsored by Yogamour
– Benefiting Women’s Giving Circle of Frederick County

Behind The Scenes of Creating Sailing Though The Winter Solstice 2023 – 2024

While the new additions to the creek are under construction, our returning boats always need work. Whether it’s touch-ups, revamping, or a complete redesign!

Starry Night Sailing Through The Winter Solstice
Building new boats for Carroll Creek
Working on the SS Andrew and Bruce Lee for Carroll Creek