On the last day of autumn, Dec. 20, East Allen Township held its third annual Christmas in the Park event to welcome the new season and winter solstice.

The well-planned, magical event was held at Bicentennial Park and provided a variety of holiday activities and cheer for families.

The organizing coordinators, including East Allen Township Volunteer Fire Department, were delighted with their successful efforts as they watched the happy families at the event.

There was popular music and holiday songs playing throughout the late afternoon into the evening. There were holiday crafts for kids to make and other activities for children that involved some assistance from their parents.

Numerous seasonal lights were set up and placed all around the spacious park.

Food was for sale, furnished by Modern Fusion Catering, of Nazareth. Modern served up a number of items that included delicious wood-fired pizza. Visit modernfusioncatering.com or call 484-707-5683 to plan your next catering event.

A table to sign Santa’s nice list was available, and kids had an opportunity to write a letter to Santa with their 2025 Christmas gift requests. There was reindeer food available for free. There were also paper tablecloths for kids to color, holiday books and more.

Jane Mackesy, president of General Federation of Women’s Club of Regency at Creekside Meadows, Bath, along with club volunteer Cheryl Carbone and others, assisted and monitored the kids’ games and activities in the pavilion area.

Olaf, of “Frozen” fame, and Rudolph were on hand greeting folks as they arrived. Pictures with Olaf and Rudolph were a hit with both kids and adults alike. They danced to the music being played that had some attendees dancing with them. Olaf and, of course, Rudolph accompanied Santa upon his arrival around 6 p.m.

Fire department Deputy Chief Raymond Henry was the master of ceremonies during Santa’s arrival and tree-lighting ceremony. The department had a large volunteer presence that included handing out free goodies at its tent.

The choreography and lead-up to the entry of Santa and a surprise visitor, the Grinch, seemed like it was part of a Hollywood movie script. Henry led attendees to a large switch that Santa was to use to turn on the lights on a new young evergreen tree. While all waited for Santa, one could hear little kids asking their parents, “When is Santa coming?”

Suddenly, the Grinch rolled in off a fire department pickup truck. Santa trailed behind about five minutes later in a large firetruck with red, white and blue lights blinking. In typical East Allen loving demeanor, the Grinch was treated with respect and inclusion in the gathering.

Henry announced it looks like Santa might be on the firetruck as it made its way toward the event. After that announcement, the positive energy of anticipation and excitement of attendees grew to a palpable level — all the while the song “Here Comes Santa Claus” was playing loudly in the background.

Santa got off the truck, and Olaf and Rudolph escorted Santa a few hundred feet to the light switch. After a countdown, Santa pushed the plunger that lit the tree’s lights, and all attendees cheered.

Santa was surrounded by families as he walked to a special area that had a large, comfy seat for him to hear from kids what they want for Christmas. The enthusiastic kids lined up to meet Santa, who was wearing a deep red, well-tailored suit with smart-looking black boots. He looked like an original, authentic, historical Santa dressed like a century ago.

The families and their children who attended the Christmas celebration were treated to a magical experience sure to be a memory-making event for all.