41st annual monument lighting

Thousands of revelers packed into Mt. Vernon Place last night to witness the 41st annual lighting of the Washington Monument.

Tons of local vendors lined the street selling slices of pizza, spicy apple sauce, hot cider, wassail, and plenty of other items to keep people warm in the 30-degree weather. The crowds made their way as close to the monument as possible, while choirs from Morgan State, City College, Heart of Maryland, and Harbor City Music Company sang traditional Christmas songs. 

Right on schedule, at 7:45 p.m., Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and Ravens cornerback Lardarius Webb counted down from 10 and the monument lit up with blue stringed lights. The laser show began and bright fireworks came booming into the sky.

Like every year, the tradition signified the real beginning of the holiday season in Baltimore.

[Photo by Ben Singer]