Perkasie Borough continues its long-standing Holiday tradition Saturday, Dec. 7, as the town hosts the nation’s oldest community tree-lighting ceremony, at 7th and Market streets.
Perkasie’s ceremony began in 1909 and is now in its 110th year. It was officially recognized as the oldest in the U.S. in 2015, when it was read into the Congressional Record by U.S. Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick.
The event opens at 5 p.m. with Perkasie Mayor John Hollenbach and his annual reading of “T’was the Night Before Christmas.” Carols and holiday music from the Pennridge Central Middle School Choir will be followed by rocking holiday music from Mike Greer & Co.
Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus arrive on a Perkasie Electric Truck to light the Christmas tree at 7 p.m. and then will be available for photographs in the RE/MAX440 building at 7th and Market streets. One child will be chosen to climb on the stage to help Santa light the tree; bring a non-perishable food item for Pennridge FISH to enter the drawing.
Families are welcome to take photos with costumed characters “Mary Poppins” and “Bert,” watch an excerpt from “The Nutcracker,” at 6 p.m. on Market Street, and view aerial acrobatic performances.
Barbershop holiday music by Ring the Rafters, food vendors, free horse and carriage rides, ballerinas in store windows, giveaways from event sponsors, and shopping and dining specials round out the evening.
Perkasie is full of holiday cheer over the tree-lighting weekend. The Perkasie Towne Improvement Association hosts a community holiday sing-along by the town tree from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, and the borough offers a Holiday Vendor Fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the same location Saturday, Dec. 7.
Doug Kramer’s Nostalgic Holiday Train Display will be on view at the Perkasie Electric Building at 120 N. 7th St. from noon to 8 p.m. both days. The Perkasie Historical Society on West Walnut Street hosts a “Polar Express” themed story time and display on Saturday. Families can catch Santa on Friday night as he makes his rounds of Perkasie neighborhoods and again on Saturday afternoon when everyone rides for free at the historic carousel at Perkasie’s Menlo Park.
For information, visit the “News You Can Use” section on the borough’s website, perkasieborough.org, call 215-257-5065 or email events@perkasieborough.org.
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