BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Some were city residents, while others were visiting for the holidays.
Bundled up battling the cold, many of them pushed strollers or led their dogs on leashes.
Across Church Street, small pockets of people took a minute of their evening strolls to take in the atmosphere from a distance.
But there was plenty of community to go around at Payrow Plaza on Friday evening, as the city flipped the switch on upward of 30,000 lights adorning a 43-foot-high, nearly 6,000-pound spruce.
“Thank you for coming today and reminding us of the best that we are. And we are, together, creating happiness and joy for each other.”Bethlehem Mayor J. William Reynolds
“Thank you for coming today and reminding us of the best that we are,” Mayor J. William Reynolds said to the crowd.
“And we are, together, creating happiness and joy for each other.”
Brought to life each year the day after Thanksgiving, the huge Christmas tree outside City Hall and the public library, along with other trees along city roadways, are hard to miss among Bethlehem’s spread of holiday traditions.
The tree was lit about 20 minutes into the event — but it wasn’t the only splash of color. Lights lined nearby plaza trees, a little-brother Christmas tree and even the Town Hall rotunda.
The Liberty High School Grenadier Band kept spirits up with peppy holiday classics. Cookies, hot cocoa and other refreshments all were within reach.
'Bring the Christmas tree to life'
Santa Claus even made a guest appearance aboard a bit of a different sleigh than expected: a ladder truck with Bethlehem Fire at the wheel.
LehighValleyNews.com caught up with a couple of penguins on site for the occasion — doubling as members of Santa’s team and Touchstone Theatre of South Bethlehem.
“We’re here to help bring the Christmas tree to life,” Penguin 1 said, looking behind at the beloved spruce.
Penguin 2 piped up quickly, “And Santa’s coming, too, so we’re here to bring Santa in with all the joy and excitement.”
The two weren’t without company for the night. A Christmas pickle, snowman, turkey, tree, elves and the Big Man in Red himself could be seen at one point or another in the mix.
Touchstone Theatre will offer its Christmas City Follies program from Dec. 4-21. It features a brand-new program every year and “very talented people singing and dancing,” according to Penguin 1.
'Beautiful!'
For resident Louis Kucsan, 11, putting up the Christmas tree at his dad’s house was a highlight of the week.
So naturally, a massive tree that can be seen across town was “really bright and fun to watch” on the first night of its seasonal gig, Louis said.
And he said other decorations, such as the large Advent candles just across the plaza, help it to all “feel Christmasy.”
Kucsan, a student at Nitschmann Middle School, said the tree lighting would be even better next year if Santa flipped the switch.
“I loved all the extra stuff they did. And the Liberty Band, my niece is in [it]. So we’re very partial to the band.”Danielle, of Macungie
Danielle, of Macungie, had her two little ones — Sophia, 8, and Luke, 5 — in tow when they stopped to share their tree-lighting reactions and holiday plans to come.
“Beautiful!” Sophia said of the tree with a small hop, in what appeared to be excitement and maybe even an attempt to keep warm.
“I loved all the extra stuff they did,” she said, pointing past the plaza at a twinkling South Side.
“And the Liberty Band, my niece is in [it]. So we’re very partial to the band.”
Speaking of other seasonal sights to see, the family said they will visit IronPigs Illumination at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown and ride the Santa Train at the Allentown and Auburn Railroad in Kutztown.
