A t Flat Iron Farm in St. Mary’s County, Christmas officially begins on Thanksgiving. While everyone else is putting

away leftovers and preparing for Black Friday, Joseph “Bubby” Knott and his family kick off the season with the flip of a switch to light up every night throughout the holiday season.

For more than 30 years, Bubby Knott has welcomed family, friends and strangers alike to his private residence to share in the spirit of the season. Mr. Knott, a county resident who has been honored for his philanthropy, initiated the event as a holiday party for the families of his employees at Great Mills Trading Post.

“We had a Christmas party for employees at a bar, and of course nobody brought their children. But I wanted the whole family to be included in the celebration, so I told everyone to come over to my house the next day, and that Santa would be there with something for the kids,” Knott says.

And so began an annual tradition that has grown and sur-

prised the community ever since.St. Mary’s County resident Roberta Sola has faithfully attend-

ed the event for at least 10 years in a row. “We have gone every year since our children were born, and as our family has grown visiting the Flat Iron Farm at Christmas has become one of our family traditions,” she says.

Christmas Magic for AllKeeping with the spirit of the season, Knott has never

charged admission fees to the light display and Christmas vil-lage at Flat Iron Farm to ensure that everyone gets a chance to experience some Christmas magic.

“If I charge to get in, some of the ones I want to come wouldn’t be able to come. If you’ve got five kids and it cost 10 dollars apiece to get in, people might not have that much to spend,” Knott says.

He has observed that some people visit almost every night, (Continued on page 44.)

42 S O U T H E R N M A R Y L A N D – T H I S I S L I V I N G W I N T E R 2 0 1 7 43

The DYNAMIC Spirit of ChristmasFlat Iron Farm Lights Up a Holiday Tradition

Story by Crystal Brandt • Photography by August Selckmann

F EATURE

(Continued from page 43.)

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14488 Solomons Island Rd.Solomons, MD 20688

O: 410-394-0990 F 410-394-0991www.mcnelisgroup.com

2385 Park Chesapeake Dr, Lusby, MD | $839,000Stunning 4BR/3BA, 4,400 sq. ft. waterfront home soaring celings and panoramic views of Chesapeake Bay. Home offers hw floor, crown molding, stone f/p, gourmet kitchen, main level MBR, private guest qtrs, and screened porches. Detached garage. Serene landscaped park like setting.

190 Langley Lane, Solomons, MD | $589,000Well maintained, 3BR, 2 1/2 BA, Charleston style home in Solomons. Screened in porch off MBR and family room. Kitchen, breakfast area, separate dining room, family room with fireplace, with hard-wood floors. Full attic, for conversion to BR/office. 2 car garage. Nice lot.

“MAYCROFT” Exceptional Waterfront Estate/Tree Farm with over 1,905 feet of shoreline.Beautiful old 5 bedroom 2/5 bath home built in 1905. Offered at $889,000

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Barbara Raley

© 2016 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently owned and operated franchise of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc. ®Equal Housing Opportunity. Information not verified or guaranteed.

14488 Solomons Island Rd. Solomons, MD 20688

O:410-394-0992 F:410-394-0991www.mcnelisgroup.com

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14488 Solomons Island Rd.Solomons, MD 20688

O: 410-394-0990 F 410-394-0991www.mcnelisgroup.com

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some two to three times times during the season, and “that’s the only Christmas they have right there.”

Knott takes pride in knowing that he helps everyone create Christmas mem-ories, especially those who might not have any other way to celebrate. Sola also reflects on Knott’s generosity, “It is amazing that it’s free! I can imagine the cost and time involved. What an amazing gift to the community.”

Knott is quick to note that he person-ally oversees the festivities throughout the season. “I’m out there every night. It’s for the kids; everything I do involves kids, and it also brings out the kid in people, and that’s what makes it special,” he says.

The proof is in the visitors who come year after year, night after night, some each night that the farm is open through-out the season. Each visit is even more special to Sola because her late father, Robert L. Stone, and Knott used to work together.

“Every time I see Bubby I say hello, and it reminds me of that connection, that personal relationship, which is real-ly nice,” Sola says.

“I’ve had people tell me, ‘I’ve had to wait an hour to get in here,’ and they’re just as happy as they can be. Me, myself, I would turn around and go home!” Knott adds with a chuckle.

Lights and MoreThe whimsical drive-through light dis-

play helps to pass the time while waiting to enter and exit; both the young and young-at-heart get lost in the lights as they flash and dance in holiday scenes on the main house and beyond (tune your car radio to 88.7 FM to complete the effect of the magical synchronization with holiday music).

“The lights are so wonderful that even we typically drive through and see the lights more than once, usually three to four times each Christmas season,” Sola says.

Other attractions include a festive, walkable village with a candy cane house, petting zoo, manger scene, indoor train and decorated Christmas tree dis-plays (chock full of memorabilia span-ning decades), John Deere exhibit, a fire

pit (bring marshmallows for roasting!), Christmas country stores, pony rides and Santa’s workshop.

The shops feature handmade crafts, ornaments, clothing, stockings, and other unique gifts and treats such as old-fash-ioned candies, jellies and jams. The farm’s horse barn is decorated to com-plement the season, too. Call first to con-firm that Santa will be there on the date that you plan to go. While admission to the village is free, there is a fee for pony rides and to visit with Santa. Food and drinks are also available for purchase.

Memories to Be MadeThe community atmosphere makes for

an ideal gathering spot for friends and families to make memories. The Sola family always makes an event of it and typically meets two to four other families there when they go.

“It’s a fun, cool family outing. We like to get a big group of our close friends and relatives together and meet for din-ner beforehand,” Sola says. “We always do the pony rides, have hot chocolate and cookies, and get our pictures with Santa. There are so many great plac-es to take holiday photos, too – lots of Christmas-y backdrops like Santa’s sleigh and the storefronts. We often use our pictures from our Flat Iron Farm visit in our holiday cards.”

The Sola family also has witnessed the evolution of Christmas at Flat Iron Farm.

“It is definitely more popular and well-attended now than it was even 10 years ago. It’s impressive that as it’s got-ten larger, they have kept up with it, as far as directing traffic and adding attrac-tions. As it has grown, they continue to expand and seem to think of everything, adding parking attendants, crossing guards and more bathrooms. I have seen how other events do not nurture their growth and sometimes they will fail because they don’t maintain the crowd. I commend their attention to detail and safety.”

A New Surprise Every Year

As one might expect, preparations begin well before the holiday season. The

Sola family makes a game of their visit and searches for new attractions while taking stock of favorites.

“Every year something new is added, and many times the kids can pick it out. We always look for Santa’s feet dangling out of the chimney and the lemurs,” she adds.

The questions about what exactly Knott has planned roll in well before the season kicks off; he works hard to make sure there’s a new surprise each year.

“I try to make it different every year for the children,” he says, adding “and they tell you if they don’t like something. Kids tell you like it is!”

Knott uses their feedback to keep the event interesting and evolving. “If you don’t grow, you die. And I enjoy seeing the people come out. It’s all the little piec-es that make up the big piece,” he says.

Not that he will reveal what’s in store before opening night -- you will have to come by yourself to find out just exactly what he has in store this time around.

If You GoFlat Iron Farm is open daily from

5-9 p.m. beginning Thursday, Nov. 23, through Monday, Jan. 1. Admission is free. Call or check the farm’s Facebook page for the most up-to-date information before you go.

The farm is at 45840 Highway to Heaven Lane, off Flat Iron Road in Great Mills

Call 301-994-0300 or visit them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/flatiron-santa •

Let There Be Lights!We’ve come a long way from placing candles on branches of our Christmas trees to light up our holidays. But the allure of lights, and lots of them, at this time of year never seems to dim. Many towns in Southern Maryland have events to bring their communities together to continue the tradi-tion of gathering around a tree, flipping a switch and ushering in the magical season of Christmas in all of its colorful glory. Here are some local events that are sure to get you in the holiday spirit.

Chesapeake BeachChesapeake Beach will hold its holiday lighting cer-emony – Light Up the Town -- at 4:30 p.m. Nov. 26 at town hall at 8200 Bayside Road. There will be a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. At dusk Dec. 9, a luminaria event will be held at Chesapeake Village (rain date will be Dec. 10).410-257-2230; chesapeakebeachmd.gov

DowellAnnmarie Garden In Lights is a popular holiday tradition. From Dec. 1 until Jan. 1, visitors can enjoy the spectacular light show from 6-9 p.m. each night except for Dec. 4, 5, 24 and 25. Admission is free for members of Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center, $6 for non-members and free for children 4 and younger. Pets are not allowed, except on Pet Night on Jan. 1. The Hardesty Haven Holiday Cafe and Gift Shop will be open each evening. There also will be Holiday Pop-Up Shops located in the Studio School. Entertainment is provided each night. According to Annmarie officials, “Garden In Lights is a magical tour that takes visitors on a beautiful trip through the glittering woods. As you stroll the protected path, you will be transported to a fantas-tical place of spectacular lights and amazing ‘light sculptures.’ Guests will be surrounded by mythical beasts, wild animals, airplanes, pirates, princesses, circus performers, dinosaurs, and more. Because all the light sculptures are made at Annmarie, the designs are one-of-a-kind; nothing in this show is commercially available.”410-326-4640; annmariegarden.org

Indian HeadThe town of Indian Head will hold its annu-al tree-lighting program at 7 p.m. Dec. 5 at the Indian Head Village Green Pavilion. Holiday music will be provided by the bands and choruses from Indian Head Elementary School, General Smallwood Middle School and Henry E. Lackey High School. There will be refreshments and a visit from Santa. The event is free. The town also will host a Holiday Festival & Craft Fair from 6-9 p.m. Dec. 12 at the pavilion.240-375-4061; townofindianhead.org

La PlataThe Olde Tyme Holiday Gathering will be held at La Plata Town Hall from 3-6 p.m. Dec. 3. Town hall is at 305 Queen Anne St. The sounds and spirit of the season bring friends and neighbors together for an afternoon of good cheer. Join the town for holiday music, activities, refreshments, carriage rides and a visit from Santa.301-934-8421; townoflaplata.org

LeonardtownChristmas on the Leonardtown Square and the Annual Tree Lighting will be held from 5-9 p.m. Nov. 24. There will be holiday festivities, music, entertainment, food rides, crafts, live nativity and the arrival of Santa. Rain date is 7 p.m. Nov. 25 for the tree lighting only. 301-475-9791; leonardtown.somd.com

North BeachLight Up the Town festivities in North Beach will begin at 7 p.m. Dec. 1. Onlookers gather on the pavilion and the switch is flipped to light up the town’s Christmas tree and holiday displays. On Dec. 2, the annual Pat Carpenter Holiday Parade will be held at noon. The North Beach boardwalk is lined with hundreds of people viewing the parade. Santa arrives by fire truck. Santa and Mrs. Claus visit with children and give out treats.301-855-6681 or 410-257-9618; northbeachmd.org

Solomons Solomons Island will celebrate its Christmas Walk on Nov. 30-Dec. 2. Events for all ages. Stroll luminar-ia-lit streets, enjoy holiday decorations and activities. At 6:15 p.m. Dec. 1, Santa will arrive by fire truck to help the children light the Christmas tree at the Solomons Riverwalk gazebo. At 7 p.m. Dec. 2, there will be children’s entertainment at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church. There will be children’s activities throughout the day Friday and Saturday, crafting and face painting. A Christmas Craft Market will be held 4-9 p.m. Dec. 1 and 4-8 p.m. Dec. 2 at the park area next door to Kingfisher’s restaurant. The Lighted Boat Parade will be held at 6:15 p.m. Dec. 2, weather permitting. The parade starts on Back Creek and makes its way around to the riverwalk.solomonsmaryland.com

- Angela Mattingly Breck44 S O U T H E R N M A R Y L A N D – T H I S I S L I V I N G W I N T E R 2 0 1 7 45

Joseph “Bubby” Knott, owner of Flat Iron Farm