ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Hundreds of revelers gathered at Arts Park Saturday evening to welcome Santa Claus at the city's annual Tree Lighting Event.
Dozens of children squealed with delight and rushed to the sidewalk along Fifth Street to catch sight of Old Saint Nick as he, Mayor Matt Tuerk and Councilmembers Cynthia Mota and Santos Napoli wished the crowd a Merry Christmas. After a countdown, a PPL employee lit up the two-story tree with the wave of an oversized candy cane. The S&P 500 company served as a main sponsor for the event.
The park bustled for hours as families decorated sugar cookies and huddled around fire pits to toast marshmallows and Peeps. The Salvation Army handed out hot chocolate and cookies as MeLVin, the Lehigh Valley Phantom's mascot, high-fived kids and the young at heart. LANTA and the Allentown Business Community Association partnered together for a Polar Express show where attendees got hot cocoa.
Students from across the Allentown School District took turns on a mobile stage, singing carols, performing dance routines and leading the crowd in school cheers as their parents snapped photos and grabbed video from their camera phones.
"It's a little tough getting all the wishes on the Christmas list this year. But thank God my family and I can make it all happen."Betty Perez
The line to see Santa and Mrs. Claus was outdone only by the wait for the Marine Corps Reserve's Toys for Tots giveaway. Smiling children walked off with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle action figures, Slinkys, Hot Wheels, Etch-a-Sketches and art supplies, among other goodies.
Betty Perez of Whitehall took in the festivities as her granddaughter Selena Neme munched on a graham cracker intended for a s'more. She said it was the first time her family attended since the pandemic.
"It's great," Perez said. "It seems more active this year."
Perez said 2024 had proven to be a stressful year. Many families have had to cope with high prices for everyday goods.
"It's a little tough getting all the wishes on the Christmas list this year. But thank God my family and I can make it all happen," she said.
