Crowds Welcome The Season At 108th Tree Lighting in Doylestown

DOYLESTOWN, PA — Thousands gathered in the heart of Doylestown Borough Friday night to welcome the holiday season with a tradition dating back more than a century.

The town’s annual tree lighting ushered in the excitement of the season in grand fashion, with Santa lighting the tree from a bucket truck and carols filling the air.

“We’re all here to celebrate an amazing event - 108 years that we have officially been doing this tree lighting,” said FOX 29’s Richard Curtis, a Doylestown native who emceed the evening’s event. “This is all about town. This is all about family. This is all about being together,” he said.

“This year’s tree - look at this thing - it is beautiful,” he said of the 25 foot tall Norway Spruce donated to the town by Bountiful Acres. The 500 pound tree decorated with 5,000 lights dominates the intersection of State and Main.

As the Bucks County Gentlemen and the Central Bucks West Choirs performed holiday favorites, several special guest made the rounds greeting the crowds, including Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, the Grinch, and Anna and Elsa from the movie “Frozen.”

Just after 6 p.m., the Winterfest Parade arrived at the intersection with the Pine2Pink Van and Santa leading the way.

Santa arrived aboard an antique fire truck driven by members of the Doylestown Fire Company.

With the assistance of the firefighters, the man of the hour made his way to a nearby bucket truck, which lifted him high above the intersection where he greeted Doylestown with jingle bells and a jolly “Ho, Ho, Ho.”

Youngsters screamed out Santa’s name as parents captured the excitement on their smartphones.

“I can’t tell you how impressed I am. What a crowd,” said Santa. “Okay, are you ready to do the countdown?” he asked the crowd.

“Okay, here we go. Five, four, three, two, one…”

Suddenly the darkened intersection was ablaze with light as the 25 foot tall spruce glistened in the chilly night air.

“That’s a beautiful tree. Wow,” said Santa, shouting, “Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.”