The holiday celebrations in Alburtis began early Dec. 8 as families enjoyed “Breakfast with Santa” and numerous crafts for the children at the annual Alburtis Holiday festival.

Throughout the day visitors could purchase raffle tickets to win baskets donated by the community and local merchants while being entertained by the AACC Dance Connection. The East Penn Children’s Fitness Academy offered open tumbling for children 5 years and younger.

The pet “children” were also included as pets could get their pictures taken with Santa at Cold Nose Lodge while the Alburtis Animal Hospital provided hot chocolate, doughnuts and a Christmas ornament contest. Another cookie baking contest was held at the Campfire Cabin.

There was also Pennsylvania Dutch Christmas Caroling.

As the afternoon moved into twilight, the Alburtis Fire Company and Alburtis Park hosted the closing of the Alburtis Holiday.

If you were hungry, warm foods were offered by Curbside Grill. Dave made the trip from King of Prussia to be a part of the event.

If you craved something sweet, Madeline Valois had her cake pops at the ready. Hers is a home-based bakery offering a variety of cake pops. Valois had free samples for visitors. Her website is mommaspopshop.com.

Approximately 200 people from the borough and neighboring communities turned out for the tree lighting ceremony.

The Alburtis Fire Company’s Social Quarters provided complimentary doughnuts and hot cocoa for visitors. Jennifer DeFelice and Jasmine Keiser volunteered to serve the treats.

Lower Macungie Middle School Music Director Kelly McCartney led student singers who entertained the crowd with numerous holiday favorites including “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”

The Lehigh Valley Phantoms mascot meLVin enjoyed his time mingling with visitors. He even tried to make a snowman at the Kids’ Craft Table sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. Alburtis Borough Manager Steven Nemeth, his wife and their two children volunteered at this craft table. MeLVin’s large fingers made it a challenge to pour the rice into the socks for his snowman, but the rest of the children appeared to have a wonderful time making their snowmen crafts. There were so many children who participated volunteers ran out of craft supplies before the tree lighting started.

The Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce also provided many visitors with light up snowflakes colorfully displayed throughout the night as people mingled.

The holiday program was a success due to the efforts of the Assistant Vice President of East Penn’s Chamber of Commerce Hayden Rinde and her colleague Emily Brosky, coordinator of Affiliated Chambers.

In addition to Rinde, Brosky and Nemeth, many other community leaders were in attendance for the festivities. Executive Vice President, Affiliated Chambers, for the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce Jessica O’Donnell-Gower and East Penn Chamber of Commerce Chair Chad Balliet welcomed the crowd to the tree lighting.

Alburtis Council President Ron DeIaco, Vice President Steve Hill and Alburtis Borough Council member Ashlynn Rivera joined Alburtis Mayor Kathleen Palmer and Chief of Alburtis Police Tony Alsleben for the tree lighting ceremony.

However, the most valuable person in attendance was Jay Ruff who was chosen to flip the light switch on the tree to signal the holiday season’s beginning in Alburtis.

Ruff, a veteran of the U.S. Navy, served in Vietnam. As a civilian, he served 42 years for the community of Alburtis as a police officer. The crowd was pleased to have such a distinguished community member at the helm as the official “flipper” of the light switch. Palmer and Phantoms’ Mascot meLVin led the countdown and the lights illuminated on the tree and holiday figures without a glitch.