Published December 11. 2025 11:04AM
It was a classic near-winter evening Dec. 6, as South Whitehall Township held its annual Bridge and Tree Lighting ceremony at Covered Bridge Park, 2465 Wehr Mill Road, Allentown.
Hundreds of visitors from South Whitehall Township and surrounding communities gathered to greet Santa Claus, visit South Whitehall and vendors.
Santa Claus arrived just on time at 6:08 p.m. riding in the bucket of Cetronia Tower 3.
He was accompanied by fire apparatus from Cetronia, Greenawalds and Woodlawn fire departments.
After a quick ride of the Wehr Mill Covered Bridge in Woodlawn Jitney UTV 3293, Santa greeted the crowd waiting for his arrival.
Santa Claus and helpers Nathaniel Berries, Nathan Diaz, Grace Heimbach and Madison Johnson lit the bridge and trees following a countdown from 10.
PRESS PHOTOS BY LOU WHEELANDABOVE: Jeremy and Aaron Lin fill out letters to Santa Claus as mom Lili watches and Ella Falatyn looks on as mom Sarah fills out Lili’s letter to Santa Claus during the South Whitehall Township’s annual bridge and tree lighting ceremony Dec. 6 at Covered Bridge Park. All are from South Whitehall.
The South Whitehall Township commissioners, Chris Peischl, Diane Kelly, Jacob Roth, Monica Hodges and Tommy Johns were on hand for township’s annual Bridge and Tree Lighting ceremony.
Representing the South Whitehall Township Police Department were Sgt. Jason Grozier, Chief Frank Lombardo, Administrative Assistant Melissa Hudak, Capt. Steve Brown, Lt. Eric Kleintop, Lt. Eric Dotter, Sgt. Jaryd Winkelbauer and Sgt. Colin Beaumont were warmed by a fire pit at the township’s annual Bridge and Tree Lighting ceremony.
Boy Scouts from Troop 12, Aiden Walsh, Liam Chompayk-Ellington, Vishwak Kottalu, Alex Luewdamo, Haadi Matin, Panush Panditj, Miguel Toaodazo and Scout Master Brian Hartman prepared apple, peach and blueberry cobblers to help warm visitors to the South Whitehall Township’s annual Bridge and Tree Lighting ceremony.
RIGHT: Santa Claus greets Samuel Castro, of South Whitehall, during the South Whitehall Township’s annual bridge and tree lighting ceremony.Story and additional photos appear on Page A2.
Alison Lagan, directs the Parkland High School Chorale performing holiday classic music during the South Whitehall Township’s annual bridge and tree lighting ceremony.
