Celebrating Community, Pride, and Partnership
The Eastern Boulevard Banner Program celebrates the vibrant spirit of Essex through a unique collaboration between local schools, businesses, and community partners. Each banner hanging along Eastern Boulevard represents the creativity, pride, and connection that define our community.
A Tradition of Beautification
For years, the Chesapeake Gateway Chamber of Commerce has helped create a sense of place along the 400–500 blocks of Eastern Boulevard by designing and installing community banners.
In 2023, the Chamber introduced a series that captured the history and lifestyle of our waterfront community—featuring anchors, boats, airplanes, fish, crabs, birds, and other symbols that reflect life in Essex.
Honoring Our Students
In 2024, the newly established Essex Community Development Corporation (Essex CDC) took on management of the program as a place-based organization focused on enhancing the heart of Essex. That year’s banners celebrated student athletes from Chesapeake, Eastern Tech, Kenwood, and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel High Schools, featuring students proudly posing in uniform or with their sports equipment. Photos were taken by Essex resident and professional photographer, Amy Hershey-Smith of Forever in a Flash Photography, with graphic design by Image360 Middle River—a collaboration that beautifully showcased the energy and talent of Essex youth.
Supporting Local Business
In 2025, Essex CDC launched the Banner Sponsorship Program, giving businesses and organizations the opportunity to sponsor their own banners along Eastern Boulevard. Each $250.00 sponsorship supported the design, printing, and installation of a banner featuring a local Essex business, organization, or community supporter.
These banners will remain displayed for one full year—through October 2026—as a proud visual reminder of the businesses that help make Essex thrive. Decisions about the next round of banners will be made by the Essex Streetscape Committee in Spring 2026. Marketing materials that were distributed to attract banner sponsors for the 2025 Banner Program are included below:
Showcasing Essex
From schools to small businesses, from local pride to lasting partnerships, the banner program continues to highlight what makes Essex unique. As cars travel down Eastern Boulevard, they don’t just see banners—they see the story of a community working together to build a brighter, more beautiful Essex. We are so appreciative of our businesses that participated as sponsors and are pleased to engage with such a diverse and vibrant business community.
Current Banner Line-Up (as of October 2025)
Below is a visual catalog of the banners currently on display along Eastern Boulevard. Each banner entry includes its location, the sponsoring business, and a photo of the banner.
Even Side
Odd Side
Banner Location Map
For a bird’s-eye view of the banner locations, please see THIS MAP.
