Tunkhannock’s annual Christmas in Our Hometown attracted the largest crowds to the Wyoming County Seat in years, in large part due to cooperative weather.
Photos and Story by Rick Hiduk
While Tunkhannock’s Christmas in Our Hometown event, held this past Friday and Saturday, has always been popular, rain has hampered the event in recent years and affected patronage. While a few rain drops did fall on Dec. 2, the grand opening of the two-day holiday festival was unhampered, and Mister and Missus Claus were greeted by throngs of anxious children and adults both evenings.
Mark Hiller of Eyewitness News (WBRE/WYOU) was among those waiting for the arrival of the Clauses, Tunkhannock Mayor Norman Ball and his wife, Peg. Christmas in Our Hometown has been a staple of Eyewitness News for a number of years, and Hiller’s exuberance suggests that the news crew looks forward to the celebration as much as the locals. With an army of wooden soldiers from Whipple’s Dance Studio standing at attention, the Clauses flipped the switch to light the town Christmas tree at about 5:15 on Friday night.
Churches, business, and nonprofit organizations lined Tioga Street, which was closed to vehicular traffic both evenings. Storefronts were festooned to the hilt, and laughter replaced the sounds of traffic. Families strolled up and down the thoroughfare, sampling warn cider, cookies and other treats offered by street vendors and in stores.
As usual, popular destinations and activities included horse-drawn wagon rides, an exhibit by the Endless Mountains Model Railroad Club, live manikins and live performances inside store windows, elaborate decorations and a cookie walk at the Dietrich Theater (above), an ice carver, traveling carolers, and a whimsical forest created at Ebb’s Candy Jar (below).
Christmas in Our Hometown is coordinated and sponsored by the Tunkhannock Business & Professional Association.
Additional Photos:
Live manikins at Something Blue Bridal Boutique (above) always bring passersby to a standstill.
David Buck of Endless Mountain Outfitters (above, left) was one of several Wyoming County Chamber of Commerce members to take part in the Chamber’s Holiday Marketplace promotion which provides him with holiday season retail space in downtown Tunkhannock.
Children of all ages took in the details of a train display (above) by the Endless Mountains Model Railroad Club that was set up at Robinson’s Martial Arts Institute.
The entry to Ebb’s Candy Jar (above) was simply the first magical touch of stroll through holiday TV and movie icons (below).
An chain saw ice carver (above) makes quick work of a frosty nutcracker in front of Bridge Street Marketplace.
A contingent of toy soldiers from Whipple Dance Studio leads Santa and Mrs. Claus down Tioga Street on Dec. 2, prior to the lighting of the Christmas tree.
Wendy Layou (above, left) and Rick Hiduk found that Christmas in Our Hometown is a great time to bump into friends. Layou was representing Advocare at the Chamber’s Holiday Marketplace. Hiduk was on his way to emcee an Ugly Sweater Party at the Warren Hotel.
A trio of carolers (above) roamed the street, serenading guests with time-honored Christmas songs.