It was 2016 when it was suggested to the Mayor and Council of the Town of Rock Hall that they should build a Community Crab Basket Christmas Tree. Sheila Lingerman, her sister-in-law Nikki Strong and their friend Beth Council came up with the idea decorating the Crab Baskets in the memory of loved ones. Especially of those who worked on the waters of the Chesapeake Bay to earn a living.

On December 12th, 2016 at 7 PM the first tree constructed of over 200 crab baskets and standing 25 feet high was dedicated with a tree lighting.

In 2017 a second tree was added.

In 2019 a third tree was added.

Even though there wasn’t a celebration in 2020 due to Covid concerns the tree continued.

Now in its fifth year one can call it a tradition. One that is a community favorite and brings people from all over to the town with a long history of life on the Chesapeake Bay.