Berlin’s charming aesthetic has earned the town an “Official Christmas Town” title by the Hallmark Channel and the chance to be featured in a holiday movie.
Last week, the Hallmark Channel released its top 25 Merriest Christmas Towns as part of its contest to secure a festive spot for a new holiday flick. Berlin was named among the finalists, the only municipality in Maryland to receive the honor.
The Hallmark Channel spent the last few months searching the country for towns that go the extra mile to create Christmas cheer for residents and visitors as part of the network’s 25th anniversary.
These locations, announced last Friday, are now vying for a chance to be named Hallmark’s Merriest Christmas Town and be highlighted in an official Hallmark film. The top 25 destinations have advanced to the competition’s public voting phase. Each entry is available for viewing on the Hallmark Channel’s website, where voters can select their favorite.
Besides the Eastern Shore spot, other towns in the running for the ultimate prize include Cape May, New Jersey; Carolina Beach, North Carolina; Corning, New York; Hanover, Pennsylvania; Lewisburg, West Virginia; Cullman, Alabama; and Chatham, Massachusetts.
Hallmark approached Berlin to enter the contest, said Ivy Wells, the town’s economic and community development director. The Worcester County municipality has maintained a reputation for picturesque streets and historic buildings, citizen pride, and well-attended, traditional holiday festivities, which caught the network’s eye