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Official Reading Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony Dec. 1 & Parade Replays on Television

Nov 22, 2017 • by Reading Downtown Improvement District
Holiday Spirit

Reading, Pa. – The Reading Downtown Improvement District is presenting a new twist this year to its official holiday tree lighting ceremony in downtown Reading. Rather than hold the ceremony the night before the Holiday Parade, this year’s event will be staged on Friday, Dec. 1, and will feature a variety of festivities over a four-hour period.

Activities will kick off at 4 p.m. with free live entertainment from various local community groups. Fresh-cut Christmas trees will be available for sale, both with and without stands. The trees will be provided by Lenhart’s Farm, a local tree farm. There will also be a variety of foods and refreshments for sale.

A craft table will be set up for attendees to make holiday door decorations for a nominal fee. Plus, people are encouraged to participate in a free holiday ornament exchange by bringing their old ornaments to trade in for “new” ones.

All of these activities will be in the vicinity of Fifth and Penn Streets.

At 6 p.m., Reading Mayor Wally Scott and Charles R. “Chuck” Broad, Executive Director of the Reading Downtown Improvement District, will present holiday greetings, followed by the official lighting of the nearly 40-foot tree at Fifth and Penn.

As part of the festivities, children are invited to meet Santa at Santa’s Wonderland in the former bank building at Fifth and Penn Streets. The interior of the main bank lobby has been transformed into a magical place for kids young and old alike.

“We wanted to bring more attention to the tree lighting ceremony this year, especially since we have a big, beautiful tree brightening spirits in downtown Reading,” Broad said, noting that the artificial tree made its debut last year due to the generosity of First Energy Foundation, which funded the purchase of the tree. “We’re hoping people will enjoy all the festivities we have planned around the lighting ceremony.”

Broad also extended his thanks to BCTV, which videotaped the Holiday Parade on Saturday, Nov. 18. Replays of the video will be aired by BCTV on the following dates/times:

BCTV (Comcast Reading 15, Southern Berks 965, Service Electric 19 and streaming online at bctv.org):

Thursday, November 23rd @ 12:00 p.m.

Friday, November 24th @ 11:00 a.m.

Sunday, November 26th @ 11:00 p.m.

Monday, November 27th @ 2:00 p.m.

Wednesday, November 29th @ 4:00 p.m.

Sunday, December 3rd @ 9:00 p.m.

Thursday, December 14th @ 7:00 a.m.

Tuesday, December 19th @ 9:00 p.m.

Saturday, December 23rd @ 11:00 p.m.

Monday, December 25th @ 2:00 p.m.

City of Reading Municipal Access Channel (MAC Comcast Reading 99):

Thursday, November 23rd @ 9:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m., 9:00 p.m.

Friday, November 24th @ 9:00 a.m., 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, November 25th @ 4:00 p.m.

Tuesday, November 28th @ 12:00 p.m.

Saturday, December 2nd @ 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, December 9th @ 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, December 16th @ 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, December 23rd @ 7:00 p.m.

Monday, December 25th @ 10:00 a.m.

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