Let there be light!

Indeed, Palmerton plans to light up the town when it hosts its Christmas in the Park program from noon to 5:30 p.m. Saturday in the borough park.The program will feature decorated trees from various members of the community that will line the walkways of the park, and be lit and decorated by the sponsor.It will also be filled with local singing groups, horse and wagon rides, and a visit from Santa. Vendors will sell hot soups, bake sales, walking tacos, hot chocolate, and other items.But, without question, one of the main highlights of the event figures to be the lighting of 48 trees, each of which will be unique, and will have the sponsor noted on the plaque by their tree.So, how exactly was the town able to pull off an event of such magnitude in less than one year's time?At a Palmerton Chamber luncheon in March, Joe Federanich, chairman of the Palmerton Holiday Lighting Committee, said the borough would like to have new Christmas decorations throughout its downtown by 2014. It was noted at that time by chamber president Peter Kern that the original decorations were put up in the 1990s, and refurbished about 10 years ago.By April, a town committee was formed to pick the decorations, and help raise money to afford them.Donation forms sentIn June, the committee sent out a donation form to households, businesses, and organizations within the Palmerton area to solicit community support to help underwrite the cost to purchase new decorations for the borough park in time for Christmas.Mailings were made to Aquashicola, Bowmanstown, Kunkletown, Lehighton, and Palmerton area homes within the Palmerton Area School District. About 1,800 people were expected to get their solicitation as part of their quarterly sewage and water bill from the borough.In July, the Palmerton Holiday Lighting Committee ordered 29 silhouette snowflake lights, as well as colored string lights, that now appear around the park along Third Street, Fourth Street and Lafayette Avenue.Community bands togetherFederanich noted that to date, over $35,000 has been raised in donations from the community.The Palmerton Community Development Fund, along with the Palmerton Concourse Club, have been the largest contributors thus far, with other funds mainly coming from local businesses and individuals, Federanich said.Also, he noted that the Palmerton Area Chamber of Commerce recently published a listing of over 500 who have contributed."We received a donation from as far away as Henderson, Nev., (after) an old classmate of mine read about the endeavor on Facebook and sent us a check," Federanich said. "It's been a total community effort, and we hope it continues, as we have not yet reached our goal of $50,000."More work to be doneDespite an outpouring of community support, Federanich said the committee remains in search of more donations."We still need donations to help cover the cost of lighting Delaware Avenue next year," he said. "But, everything is falling into place; all we need is some good weather for Saturday, and we will be in great shape."The lights around the park along Delaware Avenue are expected to be ready by Christmas 2014.In addition to lighting the park this year, and Delaware Avenue next year, Federanich said the committee is looking at the possibility of joining with the borough, local utility companies and the Palmerton Community Festival Committee to provide underground wiring throughout the park to enable increased use of the park.Federanich said the committee will publish a listing of business and individuals who have donated equipment and time toward the initiative, as well as an additional listing of donations that are still coming into the Palmerton Chamber of Commerce Holiday Lighting Committee, 410 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, Pa. 18071."Send in your donation to help light the way to the future of Palmerton's holiday celebration," he said. "I encourage everyone far and near to join us Saturday in the park to celebrate the return of lighting the community park and join the festivities of Christmas in the park being brought back to Palmerton."The eventWith the lighting of the new lights and the Christmas trees, Palmerton's Christmas in the Park program serves as the kick off to the holiday season, said Michele O'Neill, Christmas in the Park committee chairperson."The entire Holiday Lighting Committee is so excited about Saturday," O'Neill said. "Everyone has worked so hard to bring this event to Palmerton, and we can't wait to enjoy it with our families and friends."O'Neill added, "What started out as a little fundraising idea has taken on a life of its own. This has become a coming together of a community, not just for the new lights, but to enjoy this Christmas season."The level of support the committee has received throughout the entire process has been exceptional, O'Neill said."The committee has worked alongside the borough, not only to get the lights up, but to get our trees in place," she said. "The local tree farmers never even wavered when we asked them to help; it was never, 'can we get back to you', it was always, 'how many do you need'."In addition, O'Neill said the local schools, churches, and community members will help to provide entertainment. The Palmerton High School Environmental Club and the Boy Scouts joined to clean up the park and get things organized for the trees to be put in place as well, she said.O'Neill said the program figures to have something for everyone."As a family, slow down for a minute, enjoy the music, and enjoy an old fashioned sing along," she said. "Admire all the new lights and the beautifully decorated trees."