Tree Lighting Ceremony Unites Community

At the end of an enthusiastic countdown that probably could be heard all the way up at the North Pole, many in the crowd of hundreds packing the Emmaus Triangle were prepared to shout "zero!"

But Mayor Winfield Iobst, who was leading the countdown, preferred "blast off!"

 For an unnerving second or two, nothing seemed to happen.

But then, like Christmas magic, the ice-blue lights covering the nearly 30-foot-tall evergreen tree blazed to life.

Another great cheer went up from the crowd, followed by the singing of "Oh Christmas Tree."

The annual gathering on the Triangle was marked by a warm sense of tradition and good will. Many young families brought their children to see the tree and Santa Claus, as they do every year. For a moment, at least, it felt like a community united.

Organizers claimed a record-breaking crowd of at least 700 people on the Triangle for the Dec. 4 tree-lighting.

"Everybody's saying this is the best turnout ever," said Teri Madison, director of the Emmaus Main Street Program, which organized the annual event. She said it was her eighth tree lighting and the most people she had ever seen there, adding it drew far more than the estimated 500 who attended last year.

It was a perfect night, cold enough to feel like Christmas, but clear and still.

Madison attributed the high turnout to the weather,  but noted the event also offered a chance to briefly forget about the impact the continued bad state of the economy is having on families.

"Look how happy everybody is," she said.  "This gives them a moment to feel that life is good and things are going to get better."

The tree lighting's community sing-along was led by Lower Macungie Cadence Choir, Emmaus Moravian Brass Choir and Bethel Bible Fellowship Church Orchestra. Each had performed separately before the 6 p.m. program began.

No one cared if the instruments overwhelmed the vocalists.  Christmas was in the air.

The song list included not only popular secular tunes but also a few, including "Silent Night." that reminded the crowd about the spiritual significance of Christmas.

But Santa Claus was the star of this show, arriving with Mrs. Claus in a fire truck with its lights flashing and siren wailing.

They got an even bigger cheer than the moment when the tree was lit.

The Clauses, who sat at the base of that tree, were so mobbed that some worried about their safety, as well as safety of  the children, and suggested ropeways be used in the future to create a designated line to see Santa.

Winners of the downtown storefront decorating contest were announced by Madison.

  The contest theme was "Santa Claus is Coming to Emmaus."

"We were hoping to have a Santa in every storefront," said Madison.

 That didn't happen.

The award for best theme went to Kelly and Kevin Mensch of Quaker Maid Kitchens and Baths, who have a life-size Santa in his sleigh in the front window of their store on the Triangle at 337 Chestnut.

Award for most creative display went to Rob Erdossy for the gingerbread dolls getting ready for Christmas in the window of his Emmaus Bakery, 415 Chestnut St.

While Emmaus Bakery seemed a sure bet to win the children's choice award, which was decided by students at Seven Generations Charter School, that award went to Lauren Beck of Out of Our Hands Gallery at 244 Main St. "I think it was all the lollipops," said Madison, referring to the candy-themed décor at Out Of Our Hands.

By the way, a certain previously mentioned couple in red were portrayed by Franklin and Nancy Reimert. And the children's tree was donated by Yenser's Tree Farm in Lehighton.