On, Dec. 8, Macungie Elementary School was transformed into a winter wonderland.

As visitors entered the building, they were greeted by Emmaus High School National Honor Society volunteers Taylor Haberle and Ava Gaydos. The student volunteers helped visitors with questions and sold raffle tickets and traditional Advent calendars.

Visitors could then walk to the end of the hall where they could get pictures with Santa who was being assisted by Jim Deegan.

After Santa, visitors could enter a number of rooms to hear several teachers who volunteered to read holiday stories from various cultures.

Along the way, a visitor might run into the school mascot, Tiger. Eyer Middle School student Adleigh Burdine, an alumni of Macungie Elementary School, assisted Tiger with helping greet the students and their families throughout the afternoon.

As you continued along the hall, you could enter a room new to this year’s Winter Wonderland event. Parent Selena Wood recognized the school is rich in diversity and was thinking of a way appreciation for differences could be displayed.

“We have a diverse community. I wanted a way for the children to learn the beauty of being different and that we could love how we are different,” Wood said.

At first, she was discouraged because there were but a few sign ups; however, once she approached the PTO with the idea, it flourished with volunteers. The room was one of the busiest rooms at the event with interactive displays and parent volunteers on hand to answer questions and share their cultural celebrations with others. Chinese New Year, Boxing Day, Diwali, Three Kings Day and Inca celebrations were all represented along with Christmas.

Once visitors left the display room, singing could be heard in the auditorium. The chorus entertained the crowds with several holiday songs. One of the most popular was “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.”

Also in the auditorium, visitors could make reindeer food as well as shop at a number of craft vendors who prepared their booths for the event.

One of the vendors, Lily Price, attended Macungie Elementary and is now a student at Emmaus High School. She owns her own craft business, Lillie Garden Chainz.

Her mom Jennifer was on hand to assist her daughter throughout the afternoon.

Finally, raffles were held for prizes. The money raised helps support programs for the children at the school.

It was a busy afternoon and parking was scarce, but everybody appeared to enjoy the day.