The borough has a lot on tap for the holidays
Stephen Finn
The Sun
Palmyra has always been a destination town around the holidays. No matter how you celebrate, you can find something to enjoy about the season. From more traditional holiday fare to new and unique events, it’s no wonder people from all over flock to this town each year to get their yuletide fix.
Tree Lighting
The night of Palmyra’s holiday tree lighting on Dec. 7 begins with Santa’s ride through town with Palmyra’s Independence Fire Department. Between 5 and 5:30 p.m., he will be taking off from the firehouse aboard one of the trucks and making his way through Palmyra. His route will be posted on the borough’s website at boroughofpalmyra.com before the big night.
At 7 p.m., Santa will arrive at Grove Park next to the Municipal Building on Broad Street where the Christmas tree will be waiting. Mayor Michelle Arnold will be there to light up the tree and kick off the holiday season. Palmyra High School’s band will also be there providing Christmas music to get everyone in the spirit.
“Hopefully the community can all get together and celebrate what we have and what we can help each other with. Palmyra is such a giving town, it’s the whole point of starting off the holiday season” said Councilwoman Gina Tait.
Santa will be available for pictures after the tree lighting at the community center next door. Inside the community center there will be stations featuring fun activities for kids, such as reindeer horseshoes, reindeer bowling and a reading of “Polar Express.” Hot cocoa and cookies will be available for anyone who needs to warm up after the night air.
Palmyra’s Winter Night Market
One of Palmyra’s most popular holiday events, the Winter Night Market, is taking place throughout the downtown area along Broad Street on Dec. 15 from 5 to 9 p.m.
The event will feature vendors of all kinds, food trucks, carolers, crafters selling handmade holiday crafts and a trackless train ride for kids.
“It’s a full-on community event,” said John Casparro, president of the Palmyra Improvement Association. “We try to gear it towards adults and children so there’s something for everyone.”
Attendees are encouraged to participate in a scavenger hunt during the market. Each participant will be provided with a map and a passport to be stamped by vendors, food trucks and local businesses. Once their passport is full, they can take it to the Palmyra Improvement Association’s table at Grove Park next to the Municipal Building to be entered into a drawing for gift certificates and prizes at 8:30 p.m.
The theme of the market will be Polar Express. A new feature this year is a trackless train ride for kids. The train will run from the Community Center to Legion Field. Santa will be attending the Winter Night Market and will be hitching a ride on the train for a portion of the evening. Train tickets are $5 and can be purchased ahead of time by emailing Maureen Bryziki at maureenbrz@yahoo.com.
Charles Street School’s Winter Concert
No holiday is complete without Christmas music. Charles Street School at 100 W. Charles St. has you covered with its 29th annual Winter Concert on Dec. 11. Doors open at 5:30 and the show will run from 6 to 7 p.m. According to Music Director Joe Defranco, seats fill up quickly so you’ll want to arrive early to grab one. Admission is free.
The night will consist of a wide variety of performances from elementary students, including vocal and instrumental pieces. Attendees can expect holiday favorites like “Frosty the Snowman,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Carol of the Bells” and “Jolly Old Saint Nicholas.”
“There’s a lot of positive energy and a lot of joy,” said Defranco. “It’s a great way to kick off your holiday season, a night of watching kids perform and singing their hearts out.”
Temple Sinai Hooping for Chanukah
Temple Sinai at 2101 New Albany Road is kicking of the Jewish holiday season with a unique event featuring the Philadelphia Spin Coalition on Dec. 2. SpinCo promotes physical activity and art forms that blend play, exercise and creativity into a fun, healthy way to move the body, still the mind and uplift the spirit. There will be free-form instruction at the event as well as a live hula hooping performance.
All are welcome to this free event from 10:30 a.m. to noon that will feature games and contests for all ages. Refreshments will include traditional fare like potato latkes and applesauce.
