CELEBRATING THE SEASON: Municipalities host holiday events across the Valley

A PARADE MARKING THE OPENING OF THE CHRISTKINDL MARKET IN MIFFLINBURG MAKES ITS WAY DOWN MARKET STREET IN 2018. Robert Inglis/Inside Pennsylvania

Story by Julie Mensch | Inside Pennsylvania fi le photos

If your holiday spirit hasn’t arrived yet, here is a list of upcoming events all across the Valley to help residents celebrate the season.

When: Saturday Nov. 20, 5 – 9 p.m., Sunday Nov. 21, noon to 5 p.m.

When: Nov. 20 and Dec. 4, 5, 11, 18; Saturdays 4–8 p.m. and Sundays, noon to 5 p.m. There is a fee for this event and reservations are required. Sponsored by Geisinger. Visit www.visitdanvillepa.org to reserve your ride today!

When: Nov. 26 Where: Mill Street Stroll Mill Street to see all of the beautiful window displays. Vote for your favorite! www. visitdanvillepa.org

When: Dec. 1, 6:30 p.m. Where: Mill Street

When: Dec. 3, beginning the first weekend in December, Fridays 5–7 p.m. and Saturdays noon to 3 p.m.

When: Saturday, Dec. 4, noon to 5 p.m. Where: Mill Street: Restaurants, shops, and vendors will be open for your holiday shopping. From 5-8 p.m., will be the annual Sip n’ Shop event.

When: Nov. 26 though Jan. 2, 5:309:00 p.m. — closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Where: Knoebels Amusement Resort, Elysburg Kozmo Klaus and his elf friends are hard at work preparing for their newest season of holiday fun. “For years, guests had asked for a Knoebels Christmas experience,” said Stacy Yutko, Knoebels’ Public Relations Director. “Last November, we excitedly debuted Joy Through the Grove and are happy to invite guests back for another year of holiday memory-making.” Beginning Nov. 26, Joy Through the Grove, a drive-thru Christmas light display will fill children of all ages with holiday spirit. Visitors should begin the tour by following the signs to Knoebels’ main parking lot. Your

File photo by Robert Inglis/Inside Pennsylvania SANTA AND MRS. CLAUS, PLAYED BY VICTORIA AND KRISTINE ROSANCRANS, OF SUNBURY, MAKE THEMSELVES AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE HOLIDAYS

car, filled with holiday revelers, will travel down the park’s main boulevard and then throughout the campground. The route is about one and one-half miles long and includes more than 400 pieces that are lighted for everyone’s enjoyment. Don’t forget to add on a tasty treat package for your journey through the holiday display! Cost: Monday – Thursday: $20; Friday – Sunday: $25; Any day for 9+ passenger vehicles: $40 Guests visiting Thursday through Sunday can add to the holiday experience by visiting the Christmas Village at Knoebels Three Ponds Golf Course. There, visitors will find graband-go food, a gift shop, pictures with Santa, and more.

When: Nov. 26 and 27 Receive 15% off one item at each of the participating merchants.

When: Friday, Dec. 3, 6–10 p.m. Stop in for holiday specials, music, refreshments and more!

When: Dec. 4, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Where: The Cellars at Brookpart Farm This is an indoor event. All safety guidelines suggested by the CDC at the time of the event will be followed Contact: 570-524-9820

Extended Friday night shopping until 8 p.m. When: Fridays, Dec. 10 and Dec. 17.

When: Saturday, Dec. 11 Where: GreenSpace Center, 815 Market St., Lewisburg. Produced by RiverStage and Strictly Ballet, directed by Amy Casimir. Tchaikovsky’s music and the beloved characters of the ballet present an interpretation that highlights a uniquely Lewisburg twist. Tickets are available on the website riverstage.org. Adults $10 Children $5.

When: Saturday, Dec. 18, bike giveaway (Noon to 2 p.m.) and free movie starting at 2 p.m. Where: Campus Theatre

When: Nov. 29 Where: Chestnut Street, Mifflinburg The Annual Tree Lighting takes place at 7 p.m. Downtown Shopping is from 5-8 p.m. and the 300 block of Chestnut Street will be closed from 6 to 7:30.

When: Dec. 9–11, Thursday hours: 4:30-9 p.m., Friday hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. No admission fee. For additional information, please call 888-666-0877 or visit oldchristkindl.com

n Friday, Dec. 3: Tree Lighting at Lincoln Park Music will begin at 6:30 and hot chocolate and cookies will be served. Bring a shatterproof ornament to place on the tree for essential workers. Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive at 7 p.m. to help kick off the holidays in Milton! Each child will receive a small gift. n Saturday, Dec. 4: Santa Sleigh Run, Bound Avenue Registration starts at 1 p.m. – Race starts at 2 p.m. Participants must form a three- to five-person team and construct a sleigh out of cardboard, plastic or wood. Only people can pull the sleigh. A team member from the committee will ride in the sleigh dressed as a holiday character. The team members will serve as the reindeer to power the sled down Bound Avenue in Milton. Age groups are elementary, middle school, high school, adults and families. There will be various timed heats to accommodate all racing teams. Prizes will be awarded for most creative sleigh, best costumes and best time. The entrance fee is one non-perishable food item per participant. Drive Thru Breakfast with St. Nicholas, 854 Cemetery Road, Milton at 10 – 11 a.m. Enjoy a drive thru breakfast with St. Nicholas, the Christmas Elf and other characters. Each child will receive a goody bag and breakfast items. n Dec. 6–21: Home Decorating Contest Celebrate the season by lighting up the darkness. Prizes will be awarded for the most festive Christmas display within the borough

When: Monday, Nov. 29 At 6:30 p.m., the Sunbury City Band will get you in the holiday spirit with their music!

At 7 p.m., Santa is scheduled to arrive at King Street Park with the help of the fire department. Free hot chocolate and cookies will be served to celebrate Santa’s arrival. Of course, the guy in red will be available to meet with kids once he gets off the firetruck. Joseph J. Anselmo Sr. Community Trust sponsors the event.

When: Saturday, Dec. 4, 2-10 p.m. Where: On the 200 block of Front Street. No cost. Kids activities, basket / auction, vendors, food, drinks, music, and tree lighting. Contact: For additional information about events, please visit 17857.org on Facebook or call/text 570-412-4072 or email info@17857.org. Noelle Long will help you with any questions.

When: Saturday, Nov. 27

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1403 Susquehanna Ave. • Sunbury, PA 17801 (570) 495-4153

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Showroom Hours Mon. - Fri. 8-5 • Now OPEN Wednesday 8:am - 7:pm Sat. 8-12 • Closed Sunday

File photo by Robert Inglis/Inside Pennsylvania SANTA TALKS WITH EMMA POFF, TRIPP STAHL AND RAIDEN PICK IN FRONT OF THE LIT CHRISTMAS TREE IN MILTON.

An afternoon of vendors offering holiday gift opportunities and food trucks throughout downtown. Santa Claus will be guided through Shamokin on a fire truck and escorted by dancing elves. The night will be capped off with Light Up Lincoln, a display of decorated monuments on Lincoln Street in Shamokin. Each monument will be lit with a short narrative of the history of each monument. The night will be capped off with the lighting of the Kalloway House, Bamse Coffee & Roasters and the newly reopened 99 Steps. Lighting up the holiday season is the focus of the Tharptown Christmas Display. Kick off for this Christmas lighting display is scheduled for Nov. 27. The event will feature food trucks and vendors throughout the day. Downtown Christmas is slated for Dec. 5. Starting off with Santa in a short parade down Market Street at 11 a.m., this festival will be held in the county building and feature many vendors and several food trucks.

Where: Market and Pine streets When: Saturday, Nov. 20, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Great items for decorating and lots of family fun.

When: Saturday, Nov. 20, through Monday, Dec. 20 Pick up a Selinsgrove Holiday Passport at a participating business. Enter your completed passport by Monday, Dec. 20 for a chance to win a $200 shopping spree.

When: Monday, Nov. 29, through Saturday, Dec. 4

When: Tuesday, Nov. 23, 6:30 p.m.

When: Monday, Nov. 29 through Saturday, Dec. 4 Beginning Monday, Nov. 29 you can pick up a stocking at Graci’s Flowers, 901 N. Market St. and decorate your stocking. Then Saturday, Dec. 4 visit participating businesses for gifts and prizes. Stockings are $5 each; proceeds will be donated to a local children’s charity.

When: Saturday, Dec. 4 at 2 p.m. Dress you and your pet in your holiday best for our annual Pet Parade. Prizes for the best dressed. There will also be a petting zoo on the lawn by the Selinsgrove Inn.

When: Tuesday, Dec. 7, 6-10 p.m. Have your picture taken with Santa and check out the specials at participating businesses. Contact: For questions and additional information, please call 570-850-0797

When: Saturday, Nov. 27. At 6 p.m., the parade forms at the Daily Item distribution center on Raspberry Avenue. It will travel on 10th Street to Market Street and then down Market Street to Cameron Park. Followed by the Tree Lighting Ceremony with the Sunbury Mayor and Santa and Mrs. Claus. The Sunbury City Band will perform in the Cameron Park Gazebo. At 7:30, children will enjoy a Christmas movie and free hot chocolate and cookies in Cameron Park. Sponsored by Sunbury Revitalization, Inc. Santa and Mrs. Claus will welcome children at the Santa House until 8 p.m. This event is sponsored by the Sunbury Litefest Committee

When: Wednesdays, Dec. 1, 8, 15 and 22; Fridays, Dec. 3, 10 and 17, 5:30–7:30 p.m. Where: Cameron Park

When: Mondays, Dec. 6, 13, and 20 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.

Where: Zoom, Facetime or Phone Call with Santa and Mrs. Claus Contact: Text or Call Victoria Rosancrans at 570-975-5951 to schedule

The goal of this program is to build a sustainable program to promote literacy. Children who visit the Sunbury Santa House will be able to choose the book they would like to receive from Santa. It is the group’s hope this gift will begin a child’s lifelong enthusiasm for reading. Sponsored by a grant from the G. Scott and Bessie K. Guyer Foundation and the Sunbury Litefest Committee.

When: Sunday, Dec. 5, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This special time to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus is reserved for children 18 or under who are challenged by Autism or Intellectual Disabilities. Santa’s area will be “sensory friendly” with low lighting and quieter surroundings. The Santa House is accessible to all. Contact: Text or Call Victoria Rosancrans at 570-975-5951 to schedule This event is sponsored by the Sunbury Litefest Committee and The Arc, Susquehanna Valley

When: Dec. 31, 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. To celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Sunbury’s Incorporation as a City. Where: The Albright Center for the Arts, 450 Chestnut St., Sunbury, PA. Entertainment by Blue River Soul and catering by Elders Catering. Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite or at the Sunbury City Clerks office at 225 Market St. Sunbury, PA 17801 Additional information at https:// www.eventbrite.com/e/162942343937. This event is sponsored by Sunbury’s Semiquincentennial Committee and local businesses.

Richard Knouse/For Inside Pennsylvania In 1915, Abigail Geisinger gave the George F. Geisinger Memorial Hospital to her community. One hundred years later in 2015, Carla Leighow, who once owned Mrs. Geisinger’s home, commissioned a Byers Caroler to commemorate the anniversary of her gift. Leighow said, “Replicating Mrs. Geisinger’s appearance was easy.” The hat with a feather, glasses, cameo, fur wrap and long black coat were the lady’s usual garb. However, Leighow said, “I had difficulty choosing an accessory for her. When someone suggested there was a dove available to use, I knew immediately that would be the perfect item for Mrs. Geisinger to hold since the dove is an eternal symbol of harmony, peace and love.”

— JEAN KNOUSE