Lehighton Rotary Club and Lehighton Area Pool Pals are partnering to present the inaugural Lehighton Handmade Holiday Craft Show from 10:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday at Lehighton Recreation Center, 243 South Eighth St., Lehighton.

Proceeds from the event will benefit community programs of the two organizations."We are excited to present this event featuring local crafters and artisans showcasing their work," said Lehighton Rotary Club Past President Erica Heery. "The talent right here in our backyard is simply amazing."The craft show will offer handmade country primitives, jewelry, tutus and bows, handmade soaps and lotions, and everything in between," continued Heery. "It will be a one-stop-shop for everyone's holiday shopping while supporting local small businesses and local non-profits. It's a win-win for everyone involved.""The synergy and working partnership exhibited between the two groups is outstanding," added Lehighton Area Pool Pals President Mark Hoffman. "Both organizations work cooperatively together for the common goal of helping others in our community."In addition to the homemade crafts, there will be an early opportunity for photos with the "the real" Mr. and Mrs. Santa A. Claus. Celebrating 50 years of Christmas magic, the Clauses have appeared throughout the greater Lehigh Valley area and well beyond. Their travels have also taken them to Santa's Workshop in North Pole, New York and Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn.; where Santa A. was dubbed "America's Number One Santa at America's Number One Mall."Santa A. has also appeared in hundreds of billboard, print, and television advertisements."We are very happy to have 'the real' Mr. and Mrs. Santa A. Claus with us for this special event. And yes, that's really his name," said Heery. "It's the perfect time of year to get the photos with Santa for Christmas cards or gifts."There will also be a Chinese Auction; a used book sale with all proceeds benefiting Lehighton Area Memorial Library; and local author and teacher Sherry L. Hoffman will be signing her book "A to Z Character Education for the Classroom."In addition, the high school Interact Club will be hosting an informational booth to promote awareness of the international "End Polio Now Campaign" through the "Purple Pinkie Project.""A contribution of $1 or more by community members will be used to eradicate polio around the world," said club President Nicole Schnell. "Each $1 donated saves a life."Refreshments will be available for purchase throughout the day.Those who donate at least one non-perishable food item at the craft show will be given a free door prize ticket. Without the food donation, the participation fee for the door prize raffle is $1 per ticket. All of these donations will be given to the community food pantry at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lehighton, a division of Shepherd House Inc.For more information about the craft show, contact Heery at

HandmadeHolidayCraftShow@yahoo.com or 610-377-9706.