The 2018 Great Lisbon FARMERS FEED THE HUNGRY Christmas Parade kicks off on Dec. 8th, 12 noon!

Holiday Fun for Everyone!

The Great Lisbon FARMERS FEED THE HUNGRY Christmas Parade, led by festively-decorated tractors followed by 250 seasonally-adorned saddle and carriage horses, kicks off on Sat., Dec. 8 at 12:00 noon! Presented by the Howard County Farm Bureau, it’s a day that promises holiday fun for everyone!

​What started as way to put the historic town of Lisbon (a town tucked in the far corner of Howard County, Maryland’s rural west) back on the map is now an annual holiday tradition and one of the most attended small town Christmas parades in the state. It is also when the local equine and agricultural communities gather to take part in one of Maryland’s biggest fundraisers to feed the hungry.

Keeping Community Spirit Alive!

The parade highlights the true meaning of community – the spirit of people from all walks of life who gather to give to those in need. Thousands of people will come together on Dec. 8 to take part in and/or watch the parade along the 1-mile swath the historic national road to enjoy watching beautiful horses and tractors (with lots of horse power) stroll down Frederick Road, Lisbon’s “Main Street.”

Now in its ninth year, the parade has brought in well over $65,000 in donations to the local food banks – Howard County Food Bank and Carroll County Food Sunday – plus Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry and the Lisbon Volunteer Fire Company (which is conducting a fundraising campaign to build a new facility to be completed in 2019).

More than $15,000 was raised at the 2017 Lisbon Christmas Parade through the generous support of parade participants, and sponsors and spectators! These funds were presented to the beneficiaries at the April 12 Howard County Farm Bureau’s Annual Legislative Dinner. Both food banks received $5,000, while $2,000 was presented to both LVFC and FHFH.

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More Than a Parade

For some, the parade is a chance to showcase their tractors and horses; for the spectators, it’s a chance to get out to Howard County’s rural west to watch  tractors make their way down the historic national road followed by hundreds of horses, to enjoy the day’s fun-filled festivities.  

But for those who often go hungry, it means so much more.

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​Food banks are essential;  they play a central role during states of emergencies when demand can be tremendous. 

This proved true when assisting families displaced/effected in the aftermath of the 2018 Ellicott City flood. During the 2018 fiscal year,  the Howard County Food Bank “provided 942,000 pounds of food to 30,520 people,” according to Anne Brinker, Director of Operations at the Community Action Council of Howard County.  

​That shot up by 292,000 pounds distributed to  3,520 more people from the previous fiscal year when 650,000 pounds were given to 27,000 people.  

“We serve 300-400 families each week,” conveyed Frank Baylor, President of Carroll County Food Sunday, the largest distributor to Carroll residents in need each week. “We distribute 8,000 pounds of food each week, with two part-time employees.” 

​The $5,000 contribution is the second largest single donation annually to the CCFS, covering roughly a week’s   worth of groceries for the families combined.
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In addition, thanks to community support, over 2,000 pounds of non-perishable food was collected at the 2017 parade and was divided equally between the Howard County Food Bank and Carroll County Food Sunday.

 “We are extremely grateful for the generous support [from the parade] which helps our ministry provide nutritious meat for thousands of meals to the hungry of Maryland,” said Josh Wilson, Executive Director, Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry. “The $2,000 contribution helped pay for the processing of 30 deer equaling 1,200 lbs. or 4,800 servings."

Getting Involved

There are several ways to participate in the parade; from entering horses and tractors into the parade to funding the parade as a sponsor, hero or helper. As a spectator, you can also contribute to the Canned Food Drive that accompanies the parade by donating canned nonperishable foods within the bins placed along the parade route, at the fire hall, and at Days End Farm.

Maryland and Local Hunger Facts
(July 2017-June 2018)

Did you know?

• In Maryland, 665,420 people were reported to be food-insecure, more than 1 in every 9 people
  - 205,000+ food-insecure children in Maryland
  - 45,000+ seniors are food-insecure
  - 228,000+ households are food-insecure
  - For every $1 donated, up to 3 meals are provided
  
  
• The Community Action Council of Howard County served over 30,520 people with 942,000 pounds of food through the Howard County Food Bank and its emergency pantries
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• Carroll County Food Sunday served over 18,578 families (45,431 people) 319,121 pounds of food
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• Maryland’s farmers and hunters donated 1,759 deer which provided 70,380 pounds of venison, enough for 281,520 servings to food banks and feeding ministries, according to Maryland Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry.

Locals go hungry every day of the year. Remember to support your local food banks. 
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​Learn more how to alleviate hunger at www.mdfoodbank.org.

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Things to Note for the 2018 Parade: The parade begins at 12:00 noon. Arrive early to secure parking and the best spot along the parade route. Route 144 and nearby roads along the parade route will be closed at 11:30 am.   After the parade: All are invited to attend the Lisbon Volunteer Fire Company’s Chicken & Ham Dinner fundraiser.  Do your holiday shopping and take a “Reindeer Ride” at Days End Farm Horse Rescue Santa’s Village! Want to learn more about the 2018 parade, where to park, about the parade route?  Visit www.LisbonChristmasParade.com. ​​​