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Exploring the Christmas Tree Trail

Published December 08. 2020 12:50PM
by LANI GOINS Special to the Bethlehem Press

Would you like to win $100 toward your favorite Downtown Bethlehem merchant? Visit the Christmas Tree Trail, and see 15 uniquely decorated Christmas trees. Vote for your favorite on the website, and you will be entered to win a $100 gift card.

There is an upside-down tree, a pizza box tree, a keg tree, a tree made of hangers, and more. The tree at the National Museum of Industrial History features a long “ribbon” made from a donated piece of deformed steel. All of the trees are either outdoors, or positioned indoors close to a window, so if you don’t want to go indoors, you don’t have to.

The festivities began with the Christmas Tree Trail lighting Nov. 28. Tree #1, next to the New Street Garage, was the site of the celebration. Santa stopped by to visit, and guests were treated to a performance from the Touchstone Theater Christmas Follies. Roasted provided free hot cocoa and cookies. Masks with the South Side Arts logo were also given away.

The festivities will continue on weekends. The tree contest will continue through Dec. 19.

Every Saturday, free two-hour parking will be provided by the Lehigh Valley Health Network. Look for the meters with the green bags over them. Parking is always free on Sundays.

Some of the upcoming events include a Holiday Mart at Lit Coffee Roastery and Bake Shop from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 12. There will be a Naughty or Nice Cookies and Cocktail Crawl Dec. 12 and 19.

For more information, a Christmas Tree Trail map, and to vote for your favorite tree, visit http://www.Southsideartsdistrict.com Scroll through the events to find the tree contest and the other events.

PRESS PHOTOS BY LANI GOINS A unique Keg Christmas Tree, #12, at the Social Still, 530 E. Third St.
Tree #15, at Dinky's Ice Cream Parlor and Grill, 312 E. Third St.
113833: The South Bethlehem Christmas Tree by the New Street Garage.
Tree #7, at Lara Bly Designs, 321 S. New St.
Tree #13, at the National Museum of Industrial History, 602 E. Second St. The “ribbon” is a donated piece of deformed steel. Two of the museum's attractions, TUG and the locomotive, are in the background.
113519: Tree #17, at The Flying V, 201 E. Third St. Upside down Christmas trees started appearing in the 7th Century.
Follies Dolls Jessica Boothe and Julianna Lanning, and Bill George, right, perform for the crowd. Julianna's xylophone rests on the back of Follies Caroler Matt Prideaux.
Follies Clown Sam Beedle winks at the camera.
114139: Santa Claus makes an appearance to greet the children in the crowd, before heading back to the North Pole to continue his Christmas preparations. He was joined by his elf, Missy Hartney, South Side Main Street manager.
162154: A signboard reminds guests to wear masks and maintain social distance while enjoying the festivities.
114342: A crowd watches Touchstone Theater Christmas Follies players approach from the Greenway.
114812: Follies Carolers Abbie Jean Littman, Matt Prideaux and Mary Wright deliver their traditional Christmas song.
114847: Follie Clowns Sara M. Group, Kat Anderegg and Sam Beedle give a rousing performance.
164851: Follie Doll Bill George, who is also a cofounder of the Touchstone Theater, introduces the performance with flair.