By LAURA JAMESON ljameson@lockhaven.com
LOCK HAVEN - Thanksgiving may be just about a week away but it's already beginning to look a lot like Christmas in downtown Lock Haven.
The city's public works crew was busy Monday morning delivering and setting up this year's Christmas tree in Triangle Park.
This year's tree was donated by Dave Romig, who had also donated a tree in 2023.
While the tree was being put in place, volunteers from Croda, Inc. were hard at work with Downtown Lock Haven, Inc. and volunteers Scott Dodson and Trent Weaver to decorate the remainder of the park.
DLH will be hosting its annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Sunday, Nov. 24, at 6:30 p.m. - just days before its annual Haven Holidays celebration and kick off for Small Business Saturdays.
The event will feature a performance by the Millbrook Playhouse Youth Ensemble and hot chocolate provided by Avenue 209 Coffee House.
Decorating didn't stop on Monday, however. Volunteers were back at it again on Tuesday.
In Triangle Park, Dodson and Weaver were back at the park to decorate the tree and put finishing touches on the decorations.
Meanwhile, members of the Commonwealth University-Lock Haven football team were helping DLH Manager Melissa Dally place garland on light poles downtown and string colorful lights along the street.
This is Dally's first Haven Holidays as manager and she's already cooking up ideas to make it a memorable one - along with setting up a new theme to carry well into years to come.
Dally is soft launching a new initiative - a Gingerbread theme - which is reflected in window displays throughout downtown.
She explained the continuous theme of "Gingerbread Village" will offer a staple attraction for visitors both locally and from out of the area to visit each year.
"The Gingerbread Village is something that we can build upon every year to make it bigger and better. It can be appreciated by all age groups and demographics," Dally explained. "Our goal is to expand it into Triangle Park where the gazebo becomes a life size gingerbread house. We want it to become a tradition for families here and in surrounding counties to shop and dine in Downtown Lock Haven, The Gingerbread Village."
After the tree lighting, Haven Holidays on Nov. 30 kicks off Small Business Saturdays and offers a wide range of fun for the whole family each week.
Businesses up and down Main Street will be offering Steals and Deals that day - and each Saturday until Dec. 21 - for those looking to check off more items from their Christmas list.
Like year's past, Haven Holidays will conclude with the annual parade at 6 p.m. Everyone is encouraged to come out, shop and stick around for dinner at local restaurants and also enjoy the parade.
Dally noted there is still time to sign up for the parade. Those interested in registering may do so by visiting lockhaven.org/haven-holidays-parade-2024/.
"There will be no theme, it is simply Haven Holidays," Dally explained. "We just ask that your float is holiday themed."
Santa and his reindeer will also be stopping by after the parade for photos at Sarah's Alley next to Stella A's Bar and Grille along Main Street.
If you miss the kick off for Small Business Saturdays, don't worry, there will be three more opportunities to shop small this holiday season.
On Dec. 7, DLH partnered with the Lock Haven YMCA to host a "Drop at the Y and Shop Small" event.
Parents will be able to drop their children off at the Y for a Jingle, Jingle, Play & Mingle event from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. The Y will provide holidays games, crafts, climbing wall fun and a snack during the event. To learn how to register your children, call 570-748-6727.
Another kid friendly event will take place on the following Saturday, Dec. 14.
The Roxy Theater is offering holiday fun for the kids so parents can squeeze in some more shopping before Christmas arrives. Parents can drop off their children at the Roxy at 9 a.m. with a movie planned to screen at 10 a.m. Kids will also get the chance to make their own Chex mix and receive an ornament.
To learn more about this Drop and Shop Small event, call The Roxy at 570-748-7699.
That same day, shoppers will be treated to caroling by a 22 voice choir outside of St. Paul's Episcopal Church along East Main Street beginning at 11 a.m.
DLH is offering a bit of competitive fun for its final Small Business Saturday, taking place on Dec. 21.
The final week's theme is "Gnome for the Holidays" and includes a special scavenger hunt downtown.
Participants are encouraged to shop small, and while doing so, try and locate the hidden "I Love LH" gnomes - drawn by Joe Waltz - hidden within various shops.
Those who participate will be eligible to receive a $25 Yiftee gift card as part of the raffle.
"We have a different "Drop and Shop" schedule this holiday season that we plan on continuing. It provides community members with kids activities that allows time for folks to shop without the kiddos, as well as fun events families can enjoy together," Dally said. "It would not be possible without the collaborative efforts of so many organizations and volunteers, especially The Historical Roxy Theater, The Lock Haven Area Branch YMCA, The City of Lock Haven, Millbrook Playhouse, Commonwealth University-Lock Haven, our local fire departments and our small business owners and friends of Downtown Lock Haven."
To learn more about Downtown Lock Haven, Inc. and Small Business Saturdays visit www.lockhaven.org.
For more local news visit The Lock Haven Express Newspaper.
