Lehighton welcomes holiday season
“Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” could be a marathon dance if done in Lehighton.
That’s because there are 151 decorated Christmas trees in Lehighton borough park.
The trees were on display Sunday during the borough’s Christmas and tree lighting ceremony.
The day began with the Lehighton Fire Department delivering Santa on its aerial truck.
Santa stood on the platform of the aerial with firefighter Don Rehrig and greeted youngsters in front of a tree on Constitution Avenue.
He posed for pictures with the children during the program, which was co-sponsored by the Park and Recreation Commission and the Lehighton Downtown Initiative.
There were craft tables set up where children decorated reindeer caps and other items.
Later, 12 bicycles donated by the Lehighton Orioles Post were given in a free drawing. Also given away were four free Lehighton Municipal Swimming Pool passes donated by Lehighton Borough.
Bambi Elsasser, a member of the Downtown Initiative, said this is the first year the two groups combined efforts.
She said numerous food vendors also were present.
The trees were sponsored by businesses, groups, churches and individuals.
Autumn Abelovsky, a coordinator of the program, said last year there were 142 trees donated.
“This year we had a good number of new people who never had a tree before,” she said. “We’re so happy to include new people.”
She said the Downtown Initiative and the Parks and Recreation Commission combined efforts because their Christmas events “historically were on different nights. We wanted to give the community one day of Christmas spirit.”
The trees all had individual themes.
The front row of trees along Constitution Avenue were sponsor trees, which were businesses or organizations who helped to sponsor the overall program.
They are M&S Hardware, Lehighton Orioles Nest 183, Foothill Farm, Jim Thorpe Neighborhood Bank, Lehigh Fire Company No. 1, Kreitz Heating and Air Conditioning and Next Era Energy.
The main Christmas tree is 15 feet high and was decorated by the Lehighton Fire Department in what has become an annual tradition.
During the tree lighting, caroling was provided by the Pale Moon Players.