Mayor Hugh Vrablic and children, young and old alike, anxiously awaited the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus at the 2022 Tree Lighting held at Kennedy Park on Saturday.

Members of the Panther Valley High School band and singer Angela Nardini shared Christmas and winter wonderland classics as members of the community awaited for the couple’s the arrival on an American Fire Company #1 truck.

Vrablic said that “it is nice to see the community come out to share the Christmas spirit. This is the time of year to come together as a community and not tear each other down. Community spirit is important, and the more we help each other during the holidays, the more that spirit will last throughout the year.”

Kimberly Achey, 8, and her parents, Amanda and Richard Achey, of Lansford, arrived early to hear the band and help count down the lighting of the trees and monuments in Kennedy Park.

Rhyla Stidhan, 3, Cian Spayder, 5, and Dillon Spayder, 1½, all waited anxiously for Santa’s arrival.