The holiday season comes alive in Kutztown on Dec. 6 with Main Street Christmas.
‘One thing is certain, Kutztown will be keeping Santa very busy on Dec. 6. From the breakfast at the fire company to pictures with pets to his thunderous arrival at the Christmas tree, there is just so much to celebrate,’ said Geoff Brace, executive director of the Kutztown Community Partnership.
KCP is a community-driven non-profit organization dedicated to the economic revitalization and preservation of downtown Kutztown.
Activities and events will include Breakfast with Santa at the Kutztown Fire Company, the Louisa Gonser Community Library Winter Tea and Tour sponsored by the Friends of the Library, Pet Photo’s with Santa at The Bark on Main and holiday shopping on Main Street. Many of these events are sponsored by organizations in Kutztown.
‘With the hectic pace of the Christmas season already here, sometimes it is good to just step back and enjoy a day in our community with friends and neighbors,’ said Mayor Sandy Green. ‘There will be plenty to do on Dec. 6 and I hope to see everybody around town.’
The day will end with a Tree Lighting at Borough Hall at 5 p.m., complete with Christmas carols.
This will be the first tree lighting in several years.
According to Green, there was a tree lighting a couple of years ago. The tree used was at the corner of West Main Street and Baldy Street at the dental office.
The Christmas Tree Lighting at Borough Hall will include a grand entrance for Santa Claus with assistance from the Kutztown Fire Company. The tree lighting is made possible by an electric upgrade by Borough Public Works crews.
The tree will include about new 900 lights that are being installed throughout the week of Nov. 30.
What is unique about this tree lighting is this an existing tree outside of borough hall, instead of cutting down a tree to be brought in.
‘It was a combination of merchants, mayor and council agreeing that this was a good idea. Sometimes, a good idea is just self-evident,’ said Brace.
Brace said the borough paid for the lights and the electric. Since there were no other costs, the event did not have a financial sponsor.
‘The borough and KCP pulled this together with a great many volunteers,’ said Brace. ‘The speed at which it all came together is kind of special. It is amazing what communication can do to pull off such an event.’
Brace hopes the community gains the opportunity to be with friends and neighbors to get to know each other.
‘Business owners, residents, elected officials and college students can all just put everything aside for one evening to be neighbors,’ said Brace. ‘We also hope residents from other communities feel welcome enough to come and join us.’
Information about breakfast with Santa can be found at www.kutztownfire.com. Information about the Winter Tea and Tour can be obtained by calling 610-683-5820. Pet Photo with Santa information is available at www.thebarkonmain.com. For a map and guide of Downtown Kutztown, visit kutztownpa.org.
