PRESS PHOTOS BY SCOTT M. NAGY Leaders from Whitehall Area Chamber of Commerce, Fellowship Community and Whitehall Township mark the start of the holiday season with a tree-lighting celebration at Lehigh Valley Mall, Whitehall, Nov. 22. Guests of honor included Santa and MeLVin, from the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.

A crowd gathers on both levels of the mall, as spectators eagerly await the countdown to the tree lighting.

Performers from 3D Dance Studio, Northampton, spread some holiday cheer with a variety of festive songs and dances.