Hot chocolate and hot cider helped keep everyone warm at Penn Forest Township’s tree lighting.

“We want to make sure the community has a place to gather as we don’t have our own downtown,” said Holly Rivera, Park Committee member. “I also tested the Christmas tree light remote and it’s ready to go.”

New this year at the event Saturday was a firepit where everyone could roast marshmallows and make s’mores with fudge striped cookies.

Volunteers from the fire company served hot drinks and homemade cookies, made by volunteer Maureen Hopkins, who baked 15 dozen each of peanut butter, chocolate chip and sugar cookies.

Nine-year-olds Ava Berardi and Kylie Ruoss made their own treat by crumbling their peanut butter cookies in the hot chocolate. Christmas tunes played over the sound system for everyone to sing along.

Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived on a firetruck with help from Penn Forest Fire Company No. 1.

When asked how Santa’s ride was from the North Pole he replied, “Blistery but good.”

Kids lined up to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus and tell them their Christmas gift wishes.

Seven-year-old Aria Pysher was hoping for a hover board as “My cousin has one and it looks really cool.”

Three-year-old Nova McNicholl wanted two things from Santa, “A bicycle and poo poo hide and seek.” The game is real, officially called “Poopys Hide and Seek,” her mom Doreen said.

Dani Sharp enjoyed her first event at the park as she purchased a house in Towamensing Trails just 3 months ago. Sharp brought her kids, 11-year-old Rowynn, 9-year-old Saniyah and 3-year-old Callum, and her mom, Liz Webber, who enjoyed roasting marshmallows.