Christmas in the Park has become an annual event in Palmerton.

The event was originally used to raise funds for new Christmas streetlight decorations.Now that the white and blue snowflakes have been purchased and adorn the poles lining Delaware Street, the fundraiser puts the money toward the maintenance and use of the decorations, said Michelle O'Neill, one of the event organizers.A bright, sunny day with only a mild chill in the air, Christmas in the Park opened with an invocation from the Rev. Canon Doris Bray and an address by Mayor Christopher Olivia, followed by music sung by the S.S. Palmer Elementary School Choir, and songs played by the Chimers of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church handbell choir.Soon after, Santa Claus arrived into town via a horse and buggy and escorted by the Palmerton and Aquashicola fire departments. He took his place at the bandstand, and children stood in line for their chance to tell him what they wanted for Christmas.All the children visiting with Santa received goody bags, with items donated by Country Harvest market, First Niagara Bank Palmerton, First Northern Bank of Palmerton, George's P & H LLC, Pool Pals of Palmerton and Pencor. Beisel's Christmas Tree Farm donated the majority of the trees.Children also had a chance to win a prize. The bicycle winners include: Avery Thomas, Spiderman bike; Kaitlyn Stepp, Lil Gem bike; Treyson Crostley, Rock It bike, and Lindsay Mriss, Sea Star bike.The wagon winners are Haley Ritter and Jaxson Weimert. Scooters are going to Calianna Smale, Frankie Cardano, Julia Kromer and Mary Farrell.Toys R Us gift cards were awarded to Kayla Korman and Avalynn Frank. And Victoria Dotter won a Palmerton pool pass.The four bikes were donated by George's P & H LLC Aquashicola, the two wagons by Blue Ridge Sunoco, four scooters by Ahner's Plumbing Aquashicola, and the Toys R Us gift cards by Pool Pals of Palmerton.The 2016 pool pass was donated by Palmerton Memorial Park Association."Special thanks to each of these businesses and organizations for helping put a smile on these children's faces due to your generosity," Arner said.The Palmerton Concourse Club Christmas House Tour was being held in conjunction with Christmas in the Park.Marj Federanich, who helped plan the tour, was happy to say they sold 200 tickets."It was a steady stream of people," she said. "The doors were open all day."Federanich's house was a newer style home located on the site of one of the original houses built by the New Jersey Zinc Co.The original house served as a home for bachelor executives of the company.Federanich said she and her husband set up a table of cookies and hot chocolate for the patrons to take as they finished the tour of their home.The house tours ended at 2 p.m., but the festivities in the park continued into the evening. Food and craft vendors lined the sidewalks and music filled the air. The Palmerton High School and Towamensing Elementary School choruses and the Holiday Homecoming Chorus sang carols, while the Strolling Brass Quintet provided instrumental entertainment.As night began to fall, the lights were lit on the 75 trees, with each one different. There were white ones, multicolored ones and blue and purple. Some were even decorated as a snowman and Santa Claus.Palmerton Municipal Fire Department decorated one with red lights wrapped with caution tape and a flashing red light. A fire hose was wrapped around the base.Families strolled the walks looking at all of the ornaments and lights. Laughter could be heard, and the chatter of friends and families stopping to talk with one another.People also gathered in the park's gazebo for a public singalong of Christmas carols. Some children sang, while others sat at their parents' feet or played nearby.