The nation’s oldest Community Tree Lighting Ceremony went virtual in 2020 and was screened as part of an hour long special edition of “Perkasie LIVE” on Saturday December 5th. This monthly magazine streaming show is produced by the Perkasie Towne Improvement Association and PBR Productions. December’s show was hosted by Todd Hurley and Joe Weichel, as it has been for the last 15 years and included treasured traditions loved by the Perkasie community. Mayor John Hollenbach recited ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, Santa took a tour of the town after flying in to the Pennridge Airport then – of course – lit the tree. Choral and musical performances by the Pennridge HS orchestra and Blooming Glen Mennonite Church.
PRESS RELEASE, December 2020: 2020 marks the 111th year of Perkasie’s Tree Lighting Ceremony. The ceremony began in 1909 and is officially the oldest community tree lighting ceremony in the United States. The ceremony has changed shape and even location over its many years and 2020 will see another change in the way that Perkasie celebrates our annual Tree Lighting.
As the COVID-19 pandemic presents perhaps the most serious challenge ever to holding the event Perkasie, like communities around the world, has come up with a creative solution so the show can go on. Perkasie Borough staff and the Perkasie Towne Improvement Association have created a different kind of Tree Lighting Ceremony for 2020, one that may be enjoyed by families from the comfort of their own homes. Traditional and time-honored elements of Perkasie’s historic ceremony will be recorded and broadcast during the monthly news magazone video show, “Perkasie LIVE” which will be streamed at 6:30pm on Saturday December 5th. Residents and businesses are encouraged to participate in a community-wide outdoor decorating contest, then head out to light decorations together, as a community, at 8pm on Saturday December 5th.
Press Release Perkasie Tree Lighting 2020
Click here for information, rules and and entry form for the Holiday Tree Display Contest
Click here for more information about Perkasie’s Winter Wanderland events on Nov. 28, Dec. 5, 12, 19.
Thank you to everyone who makes the annual tree lighting ceremony such a wonderful event. Perkasie Borough acknowledges these local businesses for their support of Perkasie’s 2020 Tree Lighting Ceremony:
MAIN EVENT SPONSORS: American Heritage Federal Credit Union; Dunkin’; Gilmore & Associates; Grim, Biehn & Thatcher; McDonalds, The Ram; Thrivent Financial; A&T Chevrolet-Subaru
ENTERTAINMENT SPONSORS: EFE Labs; Penn Community Bank; Perkasie Dental Loft
GENERAL SPONSORS: On-Trac Entertainment; PBR Productions; Perkasie Towne Improvement Association; Total Hatch Media & Marketing; Perkasie Historical Society