The Christmas City kicked off the holiday season with a virtual tree lighting ceremony Thanksgiving Eve, Nov. 25. In order to maintain public safety during the COVID-19 pandemic, Bethlehem employed technology to present the cherished tradition on Facebook and Service Electric TV.

“There’s been so much darkness in 2020 that we had to bring some light with this beloved holiday tradition. So many events have been canceled but this one is central to our identity as the Christmas City,” Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce Senior Vice President Angela DelGrosso said.

“While the event is virtual this year, the Christmas City tree lighting will shine as a twinkling symbol of hope and inspiration.”

DelGrosso emceed the virtual proceedings with help from “special guest” Santa.

“Good evening Bethlehem and merry Christmas to everyone joining us from all over the world,” proclaimed Mayor Bob Donchez as he provided opening remarks while paying tribute to health care workers. The mayor thanked the students from Farmersville Elementary School for decorations for the Mayor’s Tree.

Donchez also expressed gratitude to Kathleen Strong, Vince and Jeanine D’Andrea and the Gallagher Family for the donation of the two trees in the plaza and the one at Second Avenue.

Police Chief Michelle Kott wrapped it all up.

“On behalf of the officers of the Bethlehem Police Department, we want to wish you and your families a happy, healthy and safe Christmas season,” she said during her closing remarks.

In between, viewers were serenaded during a well-paced “Not-So-Silent Night” Christmas Concert featuring the Liberty High School Marching Band, Swingtime Dolls, Holmes Family Singers, LV Urban Latin Orquesta, Seth Witcher and Cunningham & Associates.

Besides celebrating the holiday season, Lehigh Valley health care workers were celebrated, as well. Video vignettes featured doctors, nurses, EMTs, technicians, hospital chaplains, clerical staff and maintenance workers.

All were praised for their work on the front lines of battling the coronavirus. Two hundred were honored with engraved steel ornaments hanging from the Christmas City Trellis, which was unveiled at the online event.

The city’s Christmas display will liven up Payrow Plaza through Jan. 2, 2021.

Sponsors include the Alloy5, the Bethlehem Parking Authority, Lehigh Valley with Love, Service Electric, Unity Bank and St. Luke’s University Health Network.

Rebroadcasts of the program can be found on the Visit Bethlehem Facebook page: www.facebook.com/VisitBethlehemPA.