PRESS PHOTOS BY DONNA GEWERTZBoard and staff members of Whitehall Area Chamber of Commerce gather for Lehigh Valley Mall’s tree-lighting ceremony Nov. 19. The Chamber and mall management organized the annual event, which included various local mascots, dancers, cheerleaders and a raffle to benefit programs to support local businesses.

The Roa family of Allentown — from left, Zuleika, Alejandra, Alexander Jr. and Alexander Sr. — admire the decorations on the tree.

A special visitor from the North Pole, Santa Claus arrives to signal the official lighting of the Christmas tree.

MeLVin, the team mascot of Lehigh Valley Phantoms hockey team, stops by to visit with attendees, including Sharben Alkhoury, of Whitehall.

A pyramid of cheerleaders from Whitehall High School — Vinessa Eggleston (top), Laney Headman (bottom left) and Gabriella Jaikes — and Whitehall-Coplay School District’s Big Z help officially usher in the Christmas season.

Mary Kay McMahon, a member of the Chamber, sells raffle tickets to Sean Remaley, of Bethlehem.