On the surface, it may seem to resemble a holiday movie fit for television.

But, at its very core, the third annual Lehighton Christmas in the Park event scheduled to take place at 6 p.m. Sunday in the borough parks is as real as it gets.

Ever the popular attraction, this year’s event has been expanded to 142 trees, according to Autumn Abelovsky, secretary of the Lehighton Borough Parks & Recreation Board,

Last year’s event had 115 trees. The inaugural event in 2016 had 73 trees.

Abelovsky said that in just three short years, the Christmas in the Park and Tree Lighting Ceremony have become one of the borough’s most “beloved” events.

“And while the trees are beautifully decorated and the park is aglow with twinkling lights, it is the feeling people get inside of themselves as they stroll through the parks that make the event meaningful,” Abelovsky said. “It is the connection that each person has as they read the tags on the trees marking the business or organization that it has been decorated by. People can relate that particular tree to their experiences with that community entity.”

As for the Memory Trees, Abelovsky said, “They make us stop, remember, recollect and talk of those loved ones that are no longer with us.”

“And for the evening of the tree lighting, well, I’ve heard it said many times, but it never gets old, it is as if Lehighton is filming their very own Hallmark Channel Christmas Movie,” she said. Except, it isn’t a fictional story with actors. It is our Lehighton with a close-knit community and the spirit of Christmas that lends to hellos, handshakes and hugs the whole night through.”

Tree decorating started Friday and continues all day today, as well as until 2 p.m. Sunday.

This year’s event will also include caroling by the Pale Moon Players, and there will be food and drink vendors.

The event is sponsored by Foothill Farm, Andrew P. Ovsak Funeral Home, Orioles Nest 183, Next Era Energy, Jim Thorpe Neighborhood Bank and Lehigh Fire Co. No 1, and the Borough of Lehighton Parks & Recreation Board. Proceeds from the event are used for future events in the borough.

Abelovsky also gave a special thanks to the Lehighton Borough Public Works and Light & Power Departments for their assistance in preparing the parks; Behavioral Health Academy students for helping with the standing of the trees, and the Lehighton Fire Department for decorating the 15’ tree in front of the Amphitheater.

All tree decorations must be removed between Jan. 11-13. Any decorations that are not collected will be discarded by the borough at the time of tree mulching.

For more information, direct questions to Events@LehightonBorough.com.