PITTSTON — Christmas is quickly approaching and the city is gearing up for the holiday with its annual Christmas in Pittston event.
This marks the fifth year for the event, which will be held Saturday, Dec. 10. The event has taken on a life of its own as residents come in the hundreds for the festivities.
City Events Coordinator Sarah Donahue said she took a different approach in planning the event to accommodate for the huge crowd.
“When you put that many people in the lot, it’s going to be chaos and we’re trying to keep it organized chaos,” she said. “We want to make it more like a show.”
One of the key differences to the event this year, Donahue said, is the inclusion of Disney characters following a story line of trying to steal Santa’s gift bag.
In the past, actors have dressed as characters such as the Grinch of Anna and Elsa from the movie “Frozen” and interacted with residents with no real story line.
The actors are organized by Hughestown resident Billy Joe Herbert.
“The performance will start around 5:30 p.m. to get the crowd started and then they’ll wander around to get people involved,” said Donahue. “I’m thankful for Billy Joe Herbert’s commitment to making Christmas in Pittston an exciting night for families. He and his crew always put on a great show.”
The remainder of the schedule includes Santa Claus riding on a horse-drawn carriage at 5:45 p.m. He will take photos with children until 8 p.m.
Residents can ride the carriage from 6 to 8 p.m. and the Christmas tree will be lit at 6 p.m.
The carriage route starts in the Lower Tomato Lot and turns onto Main Street, then onto Tomato Festival Drive. The sleigh then goes around the Tomato Bar, onto Spring Alley and then back into the lot.
“It works well and it’s a little tour of the downtown,” said Donahue.
The horses are from Black Horse Carriage Farm in Honesdale and the sleigh will seat about 12 people.
“It’s really helpful because the last company could only fit six people and this will help eliminate some of the line and keeping people from waiting in the cold,” Donahue said. “We’re going to give it a try and hope it works out well.”
Music will be provided by a choir from the Perspective Church at 6:20 p.m. and Pittston Area Middle School students will carol at 7 p.m.
When nobody is singing, recorded music will be played over a sound system.
The Salvation Army will sell hot chocolate, the Purple Squirrel Pastry Co. will sell cookies and TJ Belt will be doing balloon art.
There will be a Toys for Tots collection and the Letters to Santa mailbox will be at the Newrose Building.
“Children can also give Santa their letters while he’s sitting in his chair,” said Donahue.
As the event quickly approaches, Donahue admitted Christmas in Pittston holds a special place in her heart as she enjoys seeing the looks on children’s faces when Santa arrives and the tree lights up.
“It’s really family friendly,” she said. “Everything is free and we charge nothing. We’re just looking to provide memories for the children. I like every event, but this one is really magical.”
