PRESS PHOTOS BY DONNA GEWERTZ Avery Johnson, of Catasauqua, talks Christmas wishes with Santa and Mrs. Claus during the Catasauqua Christmas tree lighting, held Dec. 5 at Catasauqua Park and Playground, 501 American St.

Siblings Trinity and Ryker Craig, of Catasauqua, work on crafting a pine cone ornament, with the help of Catasauqua High School student volunteer Toby Burgher, also of Catasauqua, during Catasauqua Borough's tree lighting, held Dec. 5 at the Catasauqua Park and Playground, 501 American St.

A large crowd of onlookers and the guests of honor, Mr. and Mrs. Claus, fill the park's pavilion area to witness the lighting of the borough tree.

Vocal entertainment during the event is provided by the Lehigh Valley Gay Men's Chorus, under the direction of Don McCord. The group performed a selection of favorite Christmas tunes.

From left, Shan and Jill Smerdon, with the Friends of Catasauqua Parks group, Santa, Mrs. Claus and Mayor Barbara Schlegel, all instrumental in making the tree lighting ceremony a success, stand inside the Catasauqua Pool fence line, where a number of local organizations have decorated Christmas trees on their behalf. This is the first year Friends of the Catasauqua Parks has participated in the tree-lighting festivities in an effort to improve park facilities.

Holy Trinity Memorial Lutheran Church's bell choir, under the direction of Benjamin Becker, plays a variety of Christmas songs.

From left, Hannah Kurczeski, a CHS student and volunteer with Interact Club, assists Pierson Garcia with making a pine cone ornament, while Roman Garcia gets a helping hand from his grandmother Flo Williams. All are from Catasauqua.

CHS students in the Interact Club gather for a group photo. These students volunteered at the event to assist with kids' arts and crafts and other logistics.

From left, Santa Claus, Jax Coffin, Jason Coffin, Mrs. Claus and Juliana Amparo are all smiles while discussing the topic of Christmas lists with the jolly man in red. Jax, Jason and Juliana reside in Catasauqua.