Log In

Reset Password
Welcome, User
LEHIGH VALLEY WEATHER
Bethlehem Catasauqua East Penn Northampton Northwestern Parkland Salisbury Whitehall-Coplay

Bethlehem’s tree lighting returns in-person for 2021

Published November 23. 2021 10:33AM
by Ed Courrier Special to the Bethlehem Press

Bethlehem kicked off the holiday season a week early with an in-person and virtual Christmas tree lighting ceremony Nov. 19.

In contrast to 2020’s all online event in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Payrow Plaza was packed with people excited to be able to gather again for the cherished holiday tradition organized by the Citizens’ Christmas City Committee.

“It’s so good to see you in person this evening,” said Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce Senior Vice President Angela DelGrosso as she emceed the event.

Attendees sipped hot chocolate as they enjoyed the “Not-So-Silent Night” Christmas Concert performances by the Bethlehem Catholic HS Marching Band, Holmes Family Singers, and Cunningham & Associates.

Directed by Paula Zerkle, the Moravian University Choir led a community sing-along of “Jesus Call Me Now,” “Deck the Halls” and “Silent Night.”

Swingtime Dolls appeared virtually, as did several seniors from Moravian Village as they read “The Night Before Christmas.”

Santa made his grand entrance on a Bethlehem Fire Department ladder truck.

Outgoing Mayor Robert Donchez delivered his remarks virtually. He thanked Joseph and Georgina Samaan for donating the City Hall tree, Karen Dikeman for the Mayor’s Tree, and Katey and Ryan Lenner for the Bethlehem Township Second Avenue tree.

Donchez remarked the 2021 Mayor’s Tree was decorated by students from Holy Infancy School and Donegan ES.

Mayor-Elect J. William Reynolds, assisted by five Bethlehem school children from Holy Infancy and Donegan, flipped on the Christmas lights.

DelGrosso thanked the event sponsors, including the Lehigh Valley Health Network, Bethlehem Parking Authority, Alloy5, Civic Property Management, Lehigh Valley with Love Media, Service Electric, Unity Bank, Just Born, Working Dog Press, NCC Fab Lab, Factory, LLC and Wegmans.

The city’s Christmas display will liven up Payrow Plaza through Jan. 2.

Rebroadcasts of the program can be found on the Visit Bethlehem Facebook page: www.facebook.com/VisitBethlehemPA

PRESS PHOTOS BY ED COURRIER Masked and unmasked attendees stop and admire the City Hall tree at the end of Bethlehem's Christmas tree lighting ceremony Nov. 19.
“It's so good to see you in person this evening,” says Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce Senior Vice President Angela DelGrosso as she addresses the well-attended Christmas tree lighting ceremony. The chamber co-sponsored the event.
At right, Mayor-Elect J. William Reynolds, assisted by Bethlehem schoolchildren, flips on the Christmas lights. From left are; second grader Kunling Xu and third grader Savannah Rivera from Holy Infancy School, and Donegan Elementary third graders; Airyella Kinsey, Angel Luis Rivas and Kirvin Hernandez Velez.
From left, Martha Molina from Lehigh Valley Health Network hands a glow stick and other swag to Savannah Catullo and her mom, Lisa. The Catullo family lives in west Bethlehem.
From left, Mason Rivera, his mom Janice Enriquez and sister Mira Rivera check out the decorations on the trellis. This year the ornaments, made from recycled plexiglass, are dedicated to area educators. The family resides in Fountain Hill. More photos on page A14
The fully-lit Mayor's Tree with the distant Bethlehem Star off to the right. The 2021 Mayor's Tree was decorated by students from Holy Infancy School and Donegan ES.
The Samaan family in front of the 2021 City Hall tree they had donated. From left are sons Anthony and Michael, parents Joseph and Georgina, and son Paul. Press photos by Ed Courrier
At left, the Holmes Family Singers join Cunningham & Associates to belt out “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town!” moments before Santa arrives on a Bethlehem fire truck.
The Bethlehem Catholic HS Marching Band and the Moravian University Choir perform together during the “Not-So-Silent Night” Christmas Concert at Payrow Plaza.
From left, Bethlehem residents Victoria Sanz and her sister spend a few moments on Saint Nick's lap after the jolly fellow arrived on a Bethlehem fire truck.