Tradepoint Atlantic will kick off the holiday season in Baltimore County this week with the lighting of ​​its 28-foot “Star of Bethlehem Steel.” 

The shipping, logistics, and commerce center is located on the site of the former Bethlehem steel mill in Sparrows Point. 

The Bethlehem steel mill was once the largest working mill in the world. At its peak in the 1950s, it employed 30,000 workers.

The steel mill closed in 2012 after 125 years of operation.

In 2014, Redwood Capital Investments acquired the 3,300-acre site and redeveloped the facility into what is now known as Tradepoint Atlantic. 

The Star of Bethlehem was built by steelworkers over 40 years ago. 

The star was previously located on the mill’s L Blast Furnace, which was built in 1978 and imploded in 2015.

Its current location atop the Tradepoint Atlantic Water Tower makes it visible from the Beltway and the Key Bridge over the Patapsco River.

The star features 196 bulbs and weighs approximately 1.5 tons.

Last year’s ceremony took place virtually due to the pandemic.

This year, the event will include holiday refreshments and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Visitors can park at Tradepoint Atlantic’s corporate office, located at 1600 Sparrows Point Blvd.

A shuttle will be provided to transport visitors to the event location at the water tower.

The event will begin at 5:00 p.m. on Dec. 2.

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