Perkasie Borough to Present Nation’s Oldest Tree Lighting on Dec. 2

The Reporter Staff•

Perkasie Borough will continue its longstanding holiday tradition on December 2 with the town’s 115th annual tree lighting ceremony.

Beginning in 1909, the ceremony was officially recognized as the oldest in the nation in 2015, when it was read into the Congressional Record by the late Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick.

In a press release, the borough previewed some of the ceremony’s attractions, including live holiday music, Pennridge school groups, games, food, live dioramas, holiday wagon rides, food trucks, performances and special guests Buddy the Elf, the Pennridge Jazz Band, Barbie, an alpaca farm and a fire performer.

"Perkasie’s Tree Lighting holds a special place in the hearts of our community” said Dave Worthington, chair of Perkasie Borough Council’s Parks & Recreation Committee. "We’re thrilled to welcome residents old and new and to invite visitors from across the region to enjoy our town and traditions. Santa tells us America’s Oldest Tree Lighting is one of his very favorite events of the season — truly a magical family evening out!”

The event opens at 5 p.m. with a reading of "’Twas the Night Before Christmas” by former Perkasie Mayor John Hollenbach. At 7 p.m., Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus will arrive on a Perkasie Electric Truck to light the Christmas tree. One lucky child will be chosen to climb on the stage to help Santa light the tree. Kids can enter the drawing by bringing a non-perishable food item for Pennridge FISH, the local food pantry.

Families can take photos with Santa in the RE/MAX440 building at 7th & Market St. and will find more photo ops with costumed characters at the Bloom Flower Company display on 7th St and across town. Additionally, the RAMs Pint House will host a Kids’ Christmas Village on 7th St, with a host of family friendly activities and a visit from the Grinch. Other town center businesses and churches will host open houses, exhibits and shopping and dining specials.

Aerial acrobatics performances, excerpts from the Nutcracker by the Shannon Carney Dance Academy, the Revivals Block Party, wandering carolers, live musicians, hot cocoa, food vendors, free wagon rides, ballerinas in store windows and giveaways from event sponsors will round out the event, said the press release.

The town will also host several other holiday events throughout the month of December, including a Christmas-themed First Friday on December 1 from 5:30 to 8 p.m featuring a visit from Santa Claus, a nostalgic holiday train display at the Electric Building at 120 N. 7th St. from 12 to 8 p.m. on December 1 and 2, a "Gingerbread Extravaganza” at Perkasie’s indoor Farmer’s Market and town center stores on December 9, a jolly Grinchmas celebration on December 16 and free carousel rides at Menlo Park from 12 to 4 p.m. on December 2, said the press release.

"Families can enjoy a really festive holiday season in Perkasie. There is so much happening,” said Linda Reid, the borough’s community development director. "America’s Oldest Tree Lighting event and all the free fun for families would not be possible without the support of our major sponsors: Adams Orthodontic, American Heritage Federal Credit Union, Gilmore & Associates, Penn Community Bank, Shelly’s Design Studios, The Gutter Guys and A&T Chevrolet-Subaru. Perkasie Borough also wishes to thank Begley Carlin Mandio, Laurel Abstract Company and Grim Biehn & Thatcher for their support.”

For more information about the tree lighting and other holiday events, go to the "Holiday Events in Perkasie” page on the borough’s website or visit the borough’s Facebook page, featuring changing and up-to-date information.

This article appears courtesy of a content share agreement between North Penn Now and The Reporter. To read more stories like this, visit www.thereporteronline.com.