Lehighton’s Christmas in the Park has become synonymous with the holiday spirit, and the seventh annual event will continue that tradition.

Hosted by the Lehighton Borough Parks & Recreation Board, the event is Sunday and features 171 trees and eight wreaths.

The trees will arrive on Thursday, and people may decorate them Friday through Sunday, according to Autumn Abelovsky, secretary, Lehighton Borough Parks & Recreation Board.

“Lehighton’s Christmas in the Park has become a community tradition that so many people look forward to,” Abelovsky said. “It is an event where everyone; local businesses, organizations, teams and families can come together with a common goal of bringing Christmas cheer to our parks.”

Abelovsky said food vendors will open at 3 p.m. and will include funnel cakes (Ott’s, which is open all weekend); hot chocolate, coffee, baked goods (Lehighton Area High School senior class); filling and gravy, macaroni and cheese (Lehighton High School Band); soups (Girl Scouts); and hot dogs (St. Peter’s Community Resource Center).

She said there will be free kids crafts from 3-5:30 p.m., Santa will arrive on the Lehighton Fire Truck at 4 p.m., guests can decorate a tree with Santa from 4-5:30 p.m., youth can enter to win kids bicycles (Sponsored by the Lehighton Downtown Partnership, Bikes donated by Lehighton Orioles) from 4-5:30 p.m. Bike giveaway announcements will take place at 5:30 p.m., Caroling by the Pale Moon Players from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Abelovsky said the tree lighting ceremony will take place at 6 p.m.

“We encourage everyone to take some time during the holiday season to stroll through the parks and take in the trees, lights, and individual themes of each tree,” she said. Spend an extra moment reading the Tree Tags.

“You may find yourself learning of a new local business or organization, or you may find a memorial tree for a long lost friend or acquaintance that makes you stop and remember them and the bond you shared here in Lehighton. The feeling you will walk away with will last you the entire Christmas season.”

Abelovsky said the Parks & Recreation Board will sell Lehighton Christmas in the Park ornaments all weekend during business hours inside the Lehighton Municipal Building.

After business hours, they can be purchased in front of the Municipal building. The cost is $5 each. There are two options: natural wood or silver.

The trees are supplied by Rehrig’s Nursery in Franklin Township, Abelovsky said.

“Each year I am reminded of how wonderful our community is when I stand in the amphitheater and look out to the hundreds of people who come to join in the tree lighting ceremony,” she said. “It’s not just about watching the trees light up, it’s about strolling the parks, visiting with friends, neighbors and long-lost acquaintances.

“It is partaking in the spirit only a small town like Lehighton can bring. It truly is like a Hallmark movie story.”