Hundreds of people showed up at Palmerton’s Borough Park to celebrate the Christmas season on Saturday afternoon.

The borough’s fifth annual Christmas in the Park extravaganza featured more than 100 trees decked out by local businesses, organizations and families. Several fan favorites stood out from the crowd, including the dastardly Grinch, and everyone’s favorite Sesame Street character, Big Bird.

Of course, it wouldn’t be Christmas in the Park without Santa, and he made quite a spectacle of his arrival. Forgoing the standard horse-drawn carriage, Santa rode around the perimeter of the park atop an Aquashicola Volunteer Fire Company truck.

Hundreds of children eagerly waited their turn to sit on Santa’s lap in the bandshell, and each good little boy and girl received a little gift, along with an entry to win one of six bicycles donated by George’s Plumbing and Heating.

[naviga:iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" gesture="media" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Vf-yNz25KWQ" width="560"][/naviga:iframe]

“We’ve had a nice crowd all afternoon, and hundreds of kids who are here for Santa,” event Chairwoman Michele O’Neill said. “We’re seeing a lot of people enjoying some hot food and drinks, and once we get closer to 4 or 4:30, the crowds will grow again.”

Though the weather was relatively mild, the seasonal chill drove many to the food strip, where one could pick up a panini from Raising the House, some macaroni and cheese from the S.S. Palmer Parkside PTO, and tasty treats from Girl Scout Troop 3112.

“The sales have been great today,” S.S. Palmer Parkside PTO volunteer Kristen Tubbs said. “It’s so delicious, we had to make double compared to what we made last year. And the kids enjoy it; it’s a good treat on a cold day.”

Visitors walking throughout the park were serenaded by a group of Victorian singers, dressed to the nines in era-appropriate clothing, and a traveling brass band.

[naviga:iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" gesture="media" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-fBMvfeIodI" width="560"][/naviga:iframe]

“This is such a nice event; I can’t believe how many people are here. And I think even more people will come closer to when they light the trees,” borough council Vice President and Raise the House member Kris Hoffner said.

As the light began to fade, the Christian Action Council of Palmerton Area Churches took to the bandshell to stir up some Christmas spirit with a collection of jolly tunes. Onlookers were invited to come on up and join the singalong, packing the bandshell with plenty of enthusiastic crooners, young and old.

The excitement reached a fever pitch as Bill George of George’s Plumbing and Heating took to the front of the bandshell to prepare to flip the switch, following a countdown led by friends and family. In the early evening darkness, dozens upon dozens of trees illuminated the walkways, capturing the eyes of each and every attendee.

As they took a stroll around the park, Bob and Kathy Gower, along with their grandson Jordan Ritton, 4, appreciated all the Christmas splendor, noting how impressive the celebration was this year, thanks to the efforts of the Holiday Lights Committee, numerous sponsors and the community as a whole.

“We feel that Palmerton always has a good family and community atmosphere. We bring our grandson every year,” Kathy Gower said. “It reminds us of the good old-fashioned Christmas spirit.”