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Lights in Greenawalds return to brighten the holidays

Published December 01. 2022 06:29AM

By ED COURRIER

Special to The Press

After a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the popular Kickoff Show for Lights in Greenawalds returned Nov. 12 at 2040 Greenawalds Ave., South Whitehall.

The huge crowd filling the street was serenaded by Common Bond as they waited for the light switch for the holiday spectacle to be tripped. Many danced to the classic rock and Christmas hits played by the Lehigh Valley-based musicians.

Several won prizes as they played a Christmas trivia game.

“It’s all about having fun for the entire family,” declared Emcee Mike Mittman, of the Service Electric Network and iHeartRadio’s Real Oldies 1470.

Lights in Greenawalds owner Mike Yellak enthusiastically welcomed the approximately 1,000 folks to the block party, announcing the lights would be free to tour for the season.

Santa and The Grinch joined in the celebration.

A concession shed at the rear provided free popcorn, hot chocolate, candy, Lights in Greenawalds magnets, tote bags and more. Santa was posted nearby to visit with children of parents who brought their own cameras.

Yellak thanked the 52 volunteers who help with the annual festivities. In addition to being filled with holiday spirit, Four Winds Concrete provides a few bottles of holiday “spirits” for their efforts.

Yellak began this Lehigh Valley holiday tradition at his parents’ Greenawalds Avenue home in 2016.

Christmas lights delighted him as a child and he felt compelled to share that feeling of joy as an adult.

“I wanted to make something where everyone from everywhere could come by and enjoy the magic of Christmas without having to pay anything,” he said.

The seasonal project costs Yellak $12,000 to $13,000 a year with $5,000 to $6,000 offset by donations.

Yellak now lives in Schnecksville.

“[However] this is like my home for the next two months,” he noted.

The holiday lights can be viewed 5-8 p.m. daily, however, the concession stand is only open from 5-8 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

Lights in Greenawalds runs through Dec. 23.

More information is available at lightsingreenawalds.com.

PRESS PHOTO BY ED COURRIER Families crowd the 2000 block of Greenawalds Avenue as they enjoy the Lights in Greenawalds Nov. 12 Kickoff Show.
Lights in Greenawalds owner Mike Yellak visits with Mike Mittman, of the Service Electric Network and iHeartRadio's Real Oldies 1470, who emceed the festive event.
Lehigh Valley-based Common Bond serenaded attendees with classic rock and a few Christmas tunes. Marcus Iorio, Fran Kaczmarek, Glen Longenhagen and Warren Parks listen to the music.
Flanking The Grinch are Dave and Karen Heffelfinger from Bungalow Park, South Whitehall.
“Let It Snow!” declares an illuminated scene from a plethora of bright and colorful lights that greet visitors to Lights in Greenawalds.
Danny McCloskey, 3, and his big brother Brandon, 5, spend some lap time with Santa in the center of the Lights in Greenawalds. The McCloskey family lives in Cetronia.
Zaylynn Castro, 9, and sister, Devyn, 4, are delighted with the T-shirts they won in a Christmas trivia contest conducted by Mike Mittman. Behind them are their parents Felix and Christine of Whitehall.
Volunteers at the concession stand hand out free snacks to fans of the holiday lights. They include John Edwards, Matt Skrapits, Christine Summer, James Gold, and Monica and Rob Hodges.