Lehigh Valley Marketplace

By Cathy Kiley

It seems like yesterday that I was writing last year’s Holiday Fun for the Kids article; and here we are again, looking forward to holiday festivities in and around the Lehigh Valley. There is an abundance of things to do this holiday season. Here is a sampling of what’s on the calendar—for kids of all ages!

Black Friday is the official kick-off for holiday shopping in all area malls and each has its own celebrations. However, the Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley has the benefit of their outdoor common areas that allow for their Holiday Tree Lighting and arrival of Santa on November 28 at 6:00 PM. Santa will be in residence near the fire at the Gazebo every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until Christmas from 11:00 AM to 3:00 for visits and photos. You may also enjoy a private horse-drawn carriage ride by Ironton Livery and Coach on weekends in December after a shopping or dinner at one of the malls many restaurants.

Thanksgiving weekend also marks the beginning of Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem. This holiday tradition dates back to medieval times when small German villages and towns would (and still do) hold festive outdoor markets celebrating the Christmas season. The markets begin with Advent and continue through Christmas Eve. Although festivities may vary from place to place, they all include food, music, drink and handmade holiday crafts and decorations. ArtsQuest first presented Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem in 1993. This celebration has grown over the years and has been recognized by Travel and Leisure Magazine as one of the best holiday markets in the world. Come enjoy the sights and sounds of Christmas and browse the handiwork of some of the nation’s finest artisans at Christkindlmarkt each weekend from November 27th through December 20th. Hours are 10 AM to 8 PM Thursday to Saturday, and 10 AM to 6 PM on Sunday. For more information, please log onto: www.Christmascity.org/ckm.

Founded in 1898, The Bach Choir of Bethlehem is America’s oldest Bach Choir. The Bethlehem Bach Festival draws thousands of visitors each year and this internationally-renowned choir of over 100 volunteer members has been featured on radio and television worldwide. For over 25 years, artistic director and conductor Greg Funfgeld has led The Bach Choir of Bethlehem in carrying on the dedication begun by its original members over a century ago. Together with a professional orchestra and brilliant soloists, The Bach Choir of Bethlehem will present their annual Christmas Concerts on Saturday, December 12th at 8:00 PM at the First Presbyterian Church of Allentown; and Sunday, December 13th at 4:00 PM at the First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem. There will be a pre-concert organ recital by Thomas Goeman one-half hour before each performance and afterward, you will be invited to celebrate with the singing of carols. Please log onto: www.bach.org for tickets and additional historical and calendar information regarding the renowned Bach Choir of Bethlehem.

For many years, one of my favorite holiday events has been the annual Concord Chamber Singers concert. Since 1967 under the direction of found Blaine Shover, the Concord Chamber Singers have performed continuously throughout the United States and Europe. Locally, they have concertized in coordination with the Concerto Soloists of Philadelphia, the Allentown Symphony, the Allentown Band and Lehigh University’s Choral Union. Their repertoire includes a combination of sacred, secular, folk and Broadway music. For their 2008 Christmas Concert at the Cathedral Church of the Nativity, the Concord Chamber Singers with be joined by the Philadelphia Brass and organist Russell Jackson for a performance of Jonathan Willcocks’ “Magnificat.” Eileen Wavrek Wescoe will also accompany the singers in celebrating with carols and anthems for the holidays. Concert time is 7:00 PM, Sunday, December 20th. Ticket information is available at www.ccsingers.org or www.lvartsboxoffice.org.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Civic Theatre of Allentown’s production of A Christmas Carol with performances beginning December 4th and running through December 20th. Founded in 1927 as “Civic Little Theatre,” this non-profit organization relies on the passion of its staff, Board members and its dedicated volunteers to bring the finest in Broadway caliber performances to its stage. In addition, their Theatre School has been an integral part of the Lehigh Valley artistic community for over 50 years. Casting was not complete as we went to print, but Marketing and Advertising Manager Ryan Hill confirmed that for this special celebratory production of A Christmas Carol, Barry Glassman is reprising his role of Scrooge for the sixth time. Log onto: www.civictheatre.com for more information.

There are numerous productions of The Nutcracker throughout the Lehigh Valley this season. Set to Tchaikovsky’s immortal music, this ballet is one of the most endearing holiday tales. This timeless story is so familiar to and instills the Christmas spirit in all who attend. Be sure to mark your calendars to attend one of the following productions. Allentown Symphony Hall’s performances of The Nutcracker, with the Repertory Dance Theater and live orchestra, are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, December 12th and 13th at 2:00 PM. Log onto: www.allentownsymphony.org for tickets.

Experience The Nutcracker in the Christmas City in Baker Hall of Zoellner Arts Center at Lehigh University on December 12th at 4:00 PM and December 13th at 2:00 PM. This presentation features the Ballet Guild of the Lehigh Valley in its 41st consecutive presentation of this beloved holiday tradition. Log onto: www.zoellnerartscenter.org for ticket information.

The State Theatre Center for the Arts is again proud to present the Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker on Sunday, December 13th at 1:00 PM and 4:30 PM. Various troupes have performed The Nutcracker at The State over the last 20+ years but this is the eighth consecutive performance by the Moscow Ballet. My husband and I first took our daughter to the State Theatre’s performance of the Nutcracker when she was a very young girl. We have plans to take her again on the 13th-this time with our Grandson Luke. Log onto: www.statetheatre.org for additional information.

Please note that the above locations are also presenting other holidays celebrations. Allentown Symphony Hall is proud to present the Allentown Symphony Chorus’ performance of Handel’s “Messiah” at Allentown’s Calvary Temple on December 5th at 8:00 PM. The Messiah is, by far, one of my favorite pieces of music. It quite simply takes my breath away and is truly a wonderful way to begin your Christmas celebrations. Also at Allentown Symphony Hall, The O’Grady Quinlan Academy of Irish Dance presents its champion dancers, together with Seamus Kennedy, for a Celtic Christmas Celebration on Saturday, December 19th (7:00 PM and December 20th (2:00 PM.)

On Sunday, December 6th at 4:00 and 8:00 PM, Zoellner Center and Lehigh University Choral Arts will present The Best of Lehigh’s Christmas Vespers at Packer Chapel. This event is free of charge so please plan to arrive early.

There are three additional Christmas shows at Easton’s State Theatre. The Seventh Annual Christmas Rocks Extravaganza presents the return to The State Theatre stage of the rockabilly and swing sounds of the Brian Setzer Orchestra on December 3rd at 8:00 PM. They are also presenting one of the hottest young Irish bands on the circuit for a Celtic celebration-Danu: Christmas in Ireland on December 10th at 8:00 PM; and the ever-popular 2009 Jimmy Sturr Christmas Spectacular returns on December 12th at 3:00 PM. Ticket and other information are available on the above mentioned websites.

The Crayola FACTORY ® in downtown Easton is hosting international holiday celebrations with hands-on projects that highlight the Caribbean Islands of Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, to name a few. Visitors to The Crayola FACTORY ® during the entire month of December will celebrate Christmas and decorate festive ornaments. Back this year by popular demand is the gingerbread house workshop from 10 to 11:30 AM on December 19th where attendees create faux gingerbread houses guaranteed to last throughout the holiday season. Cost is $12 per house and space is limited. Other special activities include: Breakfasts with Santa and the Gingerbread Man and/or Woman on December 5, 12-13, 19-20; Hanukkah celebrations and dreidel decorating December 12 through 19; and Kwanzaa projects December 26 to 31. Join the fun and wrap up 2009 at The Crayola FACTORY’s ® New Year’s Eve celebration on December 31 with noisemakers, party hats and snacks. Log onto: www.crayolafactory.com for hours of operation, event reservations and cost information.

Performances of Pip: The Mouse Before Christmas begin Thanksgiving weekend and run through January 2, 2010. Pip The Mouse has been a holiday family favorite since 1962 when Max Hess purchased the stage and show to make Pip a holiday mainstay at Hess’s Department Store in Allentown. The Pip the Mouse puppet show moved many times after the closing of Hess’s but this production has endured throughout the years because of public interest. Since 2003, the Liberty Bell Museum and Allentown Public Library has lovingly presented “Pip the Mouse” to thousands of visitors. Experience the magic and wonder of this endearing holiday puppet show with your family. Young and old will equally enjoy this special treat. Show times from Thanksgiving through January 2, 2010 are: Monday/Tuesday: Hourly at 12:00, 1:00 and 2:00 PM; Wednesday: Hourly at 10:00 and 11:00 AM, 1:00 and 2:00 PM; Thursday through Saturday: Hourly at 12:00, 1:00 and 2:00 PM. There are no shows on December 24 and 25 as well as January 1. Log onto: www.libertybellmuseum.org/museum/pip.html for more information.

The City of Allentown officially kicks off the holiday season with its Christmas Tree Lighting festivities on Thursday, December 3 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM in the 800 block of Hamilton Boulevard. There will be an elf parade and children are invited to come in costume. No costume?….No worry! Faces will be painted with rosy cheeks as kids sip hot chocolate, and prizes will be awarded for the most adorable holiday-celebrating, fun-loving kids. There will be photos with Santa and visits by Pip the Mouse as well as other traditional holiday characters appearing locally such as The Nutcracker and Clara. This event is free and parking is available on 8th Street between Linden Street and Hamilton Boulevard.

The Lehigh Parkway will be transformed into a winter wonderland when Allentown presents its 14th annual Lights in the Parkway beginning December 11 to January 3, 2010. Twinkly lights, music and animated displays beckon families to visit through January 3, 2010. This surely is a wonderful way to get into the holiday spirit so take time from your hectic schedules to enjoy some quality time with your family. After the light tour, visitors may stroll through the Gift Barn and the kids can have photos taken with Santa. Lights on the Parkway hours are 5:30 to 10:00 PM nightly (except Christmas Day.) Cost per carload is $9.00; however, $5.00 advance tickets are available at City Hall. For more information regarding all Allentown holiday happenings, log onto: www.allentownpa.gov/holiday.

The Nazareth Area Society of Model Engineers has featured their holiday model train displays at the old firehouse at 212 Main Street in Stockertown since 1997. The permanent displays held within three floors of this old building are wonderful and our grandchildren enjoy going to see them every holiday season. Here you will see detailed, intricate lay-outs featuring numerous antique model trains that will fascinate train-loving children (of all ages!) The 2009 model train exhibit schedule is: December 4 -6, 12, 19 and 27-29. Hours are 1:00 to 5:00 PM on weekends and 7:00 to 9:00 PM on applicable weekdays. Log onto: http://nasme.tripod.com/openhouse.html to learn more about this interesting organization.

As always, the Lehigh Valley offers a plethora of holiday happenings for not only its many visitors, but for all of us lucky enough to live here. We feel the Valley has a special charm all year long but it is never more special than at this very festive time of year. Enjoy!