If you thought nothing could top last year’s Light Up Night in Hellertown, which drew thousands of visitors to Dimmick Park for an evening of festive holiday fun, the Hellertown-Lower Saucon Chamber of Commerce and local business sponsors including presenting sponsor Mobile Technology Graphics want you to think again. More than ever before is planned for this year’s event, which is this Friday, Nov. 29 from 5 to 9 p.m.
Last year’s Light Up Night animal celebrity guest was Einstein the “Snow Camel,” who became a viral sensation after video was captured of him alongside Rt. 309 in the middle of a rare November snowstorm. In an effort to top that, this year Heintzelman Funeral Home of Hellertown is sponsoring a visit by two reindeer, who’ve generously been granted a vacation day by Santa during what is a very busy time of year at the North Pole.
Heintzelman said the animals will have a choice spot alongside the Dewey Fire Company building, which is adjacent to Dimmick Park and where an indoor holiday market featuring local crafters will be held in the social hall. If the evening turns out to be as cold one, as it was last year, it will double as a convenient warming hut.
“We are very thankful for our Chamber and everything they have planned for this evening,” Heintzelman said. “Light Up Night is a Hellertown-Lower Saucon favorite and has grown substantially in attendance and activities offered over the last few years in our partnership. We are excited to see what 2019 has in store! Please join us to see the beauty of our community and to ring in the holiday season at this festive event.”
Jessica O’Donnell, EVP of Affiliated Chambers for the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce noted that “last year we saw well over 4,000 people in attendance. This year we are expecting even more in attendance with the new additions of the live reindeer, ice carving demonstration and added performances.”
“This event is truly one of my favorites for the community,” she added. “Every year we try to add something new to enhance it and make it even jollier than the last. All of this could not be done without the support of everyone at the Borough of Hellertown, our participants and all our sponsors.”
The majority of the festivities will be held outside in Dimmick Park, which is adjacent to the fire station, and where a huge screen set up by Mobile Technology Graphics will broadcast the festivities. Luminaries sold by local churches as part of a fundraiser will help light the park during the event, and flatscreen televisions provided by MTG will air what’s happening outside in the park in the holiday market.
O’Donnell said this year’s event will be more spread out in the park, as a result of feedback about some congestion during last year’s Light Up Night.
She said another new attraction this year will be an ice sculpting demonstration from 5 to 8 p.m., presented by Bucks Run Oil.
She also thanked this year’s Star Sponsor, Farmers Insurance Wimbish Agency of Hellertown.
Other highlights of this year’s event will include:
- Holiday Movies in the Park beginning at 5 p.m. (presented by Mobile Technology Graphics, Saucon Source, Saucon Valley Bikes, ASR Media, Saucon Valley Karate Academy and Evoke Solar)
- NEW! Cash pony rides (presented by Farmers Insurance Wimbish Agency)
- NEW! Cash wagon rides (presented by Steel Club)
- Food available from the Local Mama Catering Co., The Bees Knees Bakery, Uncle Paul’s Stuffed Pretzels, Cosmic Kettle Corn, Hellertown Lions Club, Take a Taco Food Truck, RK Mobile Foods and Couchpota Doh Food Truck (10 percent of proceeds from food sales will benefit the community)
- Wine and beer available at an adult beverage bar from Black River Farms and Lost Tavern Brewing (10 percent of proceeds from beer and wine sales will benefit the community)
- Free children’s activities
- Free hot cocoa, cookies, cider, coffee, apples and cookies, and “Buy Local” coupon booklets from the GLVCC as well as songbooks from the Valley Voice. (Refreshments are being presented by Hellertown Dental Group, Weiss-Schantz Agency Insurance, 412 Auto Tags, Bechdolt’s Orchard, Steel Valley Investment Group of Raymond James-The LaBuda Team and the Meadows of Saucon Valley.)
The schedule of events for the evening is as follows:
- 5 p.m., Holiday Movies in the Park
- 5:30 p.m., Wildlands Conservatory Animal Demonstration in Dewey Fire Co. Social Hall
- 5:40 p.m., Welcome by Hellertown-Lower Saucon Chamber of Commerce
- 5:45 p.m., Pledge to the Flag by Saucon Valley Cub Scout Packs
- 5:50 p.m., Caroling by Saucon Valley Girl Scouts
- 6:10 p.m., Dance Performances by En Avant School of Dance
- 6:40 p.m., Welcome by Mayor David Heintzelman and Invocation by Christ Lutheran Hellertown Pastor Phil Spohn followed by the Countdown to the Tree-Lighting
- 7 p.m., SANTA Arrives! (Sponsored by Dewey Fire Co. No. 1, Ron Smith and City Line Construction Services)
- 7:05 p.m., Caroling by the Saucon Valley High School Choir
- 7:10 p.m., Pictures with Santa in front of the stage and Santa Giveaway (sponsored by 412 Auto Tags, Lost River Caverns, Just Born, Springtown Inn and Brooklyn’s Catering)
- 7:35 p.m., Dance Performances by Saucon Valley Dance Conservatory
- 8:05 p.m., Music by the Saucon Valley High School Band
- 8:35 p.m., Demonstration by Saucon Valley Karate Academy students
Other sponsors include Omega Protective Services, Holiday Booklet Presenting Sponsor and Security Sponsor; Adams Plumbing, Comfort Station Sponsor; Decorations Sponsors: The Law Offices of Mark Albright, Gary’s Custom Cuts and Lloyd Tactical; and Light Up Night Supporting Sponsors: DiMiao’s Family Ristorante & Pizzeria, The Goddard School, Michael Robinson Photography, Limon Authentic Turkish Kebap House and Salon Mia.
And before you even think to ask, ‘What happens if it snows or rains on Light Up Night?’ The event doesn’t have a snow/rain date, which means any decisions related to inclement weather–if necessary–will likely be made by the organizers the day it’s held.
As of Monday, the weather forecast for Friday evening does not include any precipitation, however temperatures are expected to be seasonably cold, so attendees should plan to dress appropriately.
On Saturday evening, when the Southern Lehigh Chamber of Commerce holds its annual Tree Lighting Ceremony in Coopersburg from 6 to 8 a.m., there is a chance of rain, snow or sleet, according to the latest National Weather Service forecast. The Coopersburg Tree-Lighting Ceremony does have a rain/snow date of Sunday, Dec. 1.
Be sure to follow the chamber’s Facebook event for updates and information about Light Up Night 2019.
Light Up Night is Friday, Nov. 29 from 5 to 9 p.m. in Dimmick Park in Hellertown. The event is the annual kickoff to the holiday season in the Saucon Valley.