Santa Claus To Light Newtown Boro's Christmas Tree Dec. 2

Santa Claus will come to Newtown Borough on Friday Dec. 2, courtesy of the Newtown Mercantile Group and the Newtown Fire Association.

The annual tree lighting sets the stage for the arrival of the jolly fellow at the Newtown Fire Association parking lot on Washington Ave and Liberty St. The community is invited to arrive after 6 p.m. for lively holiday music from DJ Adam Mineola, cookies and hot chocolate with Santa arriving by police escort and light the tree at 7 p.m.

Santa will be in his house afterwards to hear Christmas wishes from the young and young at heart. Visits with Santa are free of charge and camera are encouraged.

Santa will also be in his house after the Holiday Parade on Sunday, Dec. 4 and from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10 and Sunday, Dec. 11 as well as Dec. 16 through Dec. 18.

This activity is sponsored by the Newtown Mercantile Group with help from the Newtown Fire Association. The Santa House was built by the carpentry students at the Middle Bucks Institute of Technology.

The Newtown Mercantile Group also invites the public to "shop local" after the tree lighting as they host the annual holiday "Midnight Madness" sale. Many stores are open late, some with promotions and treats that get better as the hour grows later. Visit the Newtown Mercantile Group website to see a full list of participating stores.

Another incentive to search for holiday gifts in Newtown Borough is their annual Gift Give-Away. From Nov. 25 to Dec. 24, visit Newtown Borough stores and enter to win a gift bag with goodies from Newtown businesses.

The drawing will be held after Christmas. Look for the Shop Newtown signs in merchant windows, so you can shop early and often.

Patch file photo