“Remember that Christmas is not about presents or how much money you spend. Christmas is a spirit; it’s a feeling and an emotion that lives in each one of us,” Lehighton Mayor Ryan Saunders said to all those gathered in the upper park.

The 10th Annual Trees in the Park Tree Lighting and Yule Market hosted by the Lehighton Borough Parks and Recreation Board was held Sunday afternoon in the borough parks.

Rebecca Worthy is the president of the board.

“We have some crafts for the children, we have the Letter Writing to Santa station where they get their ticket for the bicycle drawing. We also have a coloring contest, where the kids will win a prize,” Worthy said. “It’s all about the kids.”

Approximately 150 trees were set up and decorated in the lower and upper parks. Many were sponsored in memory of family members, some sponsored by area organizations, some sponsored by area businesses.

There was plenty of delicious and hot homemade foods like macaroni and cheese, hot dogs, and more. There was also cotton candy and funnel cakes.

New this year was the addition of the Yule Market, selling a variety of handcrafted items, perfect for local business gift-buying.

Santa and his Elf arrived at 4 p.m. courtesy of the Lehighton Fire Department, then they set up chairs in the amphitheater where Santa greeted the children as they sat on his lap and posed for photographs.

There were a lot of happy children as the 10 bicycles and two riding toys, donated by the Lehighton Orioles Nest 183, were raffled off around 5 p.m.

The Pale Moon Singers entertained the crowd with the singing of Christmas songs, then led the countdown and the lighting of the Christmas tree and all the trees in both parks.

“Our community is a sincere and loving one, and I’m proud to be part of it,” said Mayor Saunders.

Worthy echoed those sentiments.

“This adds a sense of community. It’s our community, that’s what’s great about it. Any time we need something from our community, they show up. You can’t ask for better residents than what we have.”

“To everyone, on behalf of the Lehighton borough, we wish you the happiest of holidays, and a very Merry Christmas,” Saunders exclaimed.