ROBERT HINKAL/Sun-Gazette Jill Confair, Bethann Campbell, Mindee Hadley and Nan Young Prepare for This Year's Victorian Christmas at the Taber Museum.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year.

Following a year off due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the city, its sponsors and the committees and organizers tell the Sun-Gazette they are eager to add their special touches and talents to welcome in the holidays.

It all begins before the Thanksgiving holiday break, as the City of Williamsport presents the Children’s Magical Christmas Parade, which begins at 6 p.m. Friday.

The parade, which was cancelled last year, features costumed characters dancing, floats, and most importantly, welcomes the arrival of Santa Claus to the City of Williamsport, said Kayla Drummond, coordinator of the city Recreation Department and Special Events.

To best view this spectacle, it’s important to make sure everyone is bundled up as it is an evening parade this year.

The parade kicks off at the intersection of Market and Fourth streets, and heads straight west on Fourth Street, ending at Elmira Street, but the festivities continue with Santa and Mayor Derek Slaughter arriving at the evergreen tree on the Williamsport Green at the (corner of Hepburn and West Fourth streets), where they will share in the countdown to turn on the tree lights and officially kick-off the holiday season.

Yes, parents, grandparents and guardians – there will be an opportunity to visit Santa after the parade.

“So get your lists ready!” Drummond said.

Also, don’t worry if the little guy or gal is unable to visit Santa after the parade, because Santa himself has some open visitation hours at the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce building, located at West Fourth and Pine streets, from 1 to 3 p.m on Nov. 20 and 27.; from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. On Dec. 18 : and at the Trolley Tour of Lights from 5:30 to 10 p.m .on Dec. 9 through Dec. 12.

Yes, Virginia, Santa also will be at the annual Festival of Lights and Open-Air Holiday Market in Brandon Park, which is from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 3, Drummond said.

Bigger, brighter and

better each season

“This (Festival of Lights and Open-Air Holiday Market) event, keeps growing to not only include the magical lighting of the trees in the park, but also dance performances, ice sculpting, food, music, character meet and greet with Disney characters and the Grinch, children’s Christmas craft workshop, free horses rides, and the children’s Wish List letter writing station, with, of course, visitations with Santa and more,” Drummond said.

The Open-Air Holiday Market will feature artisan vendors where visitors can purchase unique holiday gifts, engage in face painting, and relax with a nice hot refreshing beverage, such as coffee or hot chocolate. If visitors get hungry, they can try out one of the yummy food trucks on site, she said.

“The whole family is encouraged to bundle up and enjoy this beloved community event that is truly a holiday treasure to be celebrated by everyone,” Drummond said.

Victorian visual arts to be celebrated

This upcoming weekend is also the annual Victorian Christmas, which is presented by the Victorian Christmas Committee/Preservation Williamsport.

Those sponsoring said many homeowners and church pastors have prepared delightful tours, according to Nan Young, one of the originators of the event.

Victorian Christmas is a combination of activities. It is a weekend event that includes a tree lighting and carol singing, tours of homes and historic buildings on from 9 to 5 p.m. Saturday, and tours of churches from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Also, a growers market, an artisan market, children’s activities, musical entertainment, food, all of which is in conjunction with the Will Huffman Toy Train Expo.

The Toy Train Expo celebrates the magic and nostalgia with toy trains and dozens of layouts. The event is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20.

All scales and sizes of trains are arranged for the delight of onlookers. Huffman started the event in December 1990.

Victorian Christmas history

It started in 1999 with Young, Gloria Miele Wood, the late Ted Lyon – long advocates of the Historic District and Preservation Williamsport.

They decided to open three to four homes with candles providing the lighting on a snowy night.

“We had no music or many decorations but we sold out of tickets,” Young said, enthusiastically.

Thus began the experience that has become the beloved annual Victorian Christmas.

Eventually, a larger committee formed and planned a bridal fashion show, a hat show and luncheons were held. Among the activities was a kilt fashion show featuring dress from Scotland including a taste-testing of actual scotch, Young said.

In the years to come, the committee branched out to include houses of special architecture and historical relevance.

“We worked with local florists to decorate the houses and musicians to play in them,” she said.

Three trolleys and a bus were added to carry the guests to the sites.

An educational talk was scheduled on Friday evenings at Trinity Church followed by a tree lighting and carol sing at Park Place.

The event joined with the popular train expo and the DuBoistown Garden Club, which has its artisan market at the YWCA also on West Fourth Street across from the church.

“It became a three-day affair,” Young said.

Many restaurants, too, provided food around the city with teas presented at the Peter Herdic House and Backhouse Cafe.

In 2020, COVID-19 reared its ugly head and canceled the event.

“Our proceeds are used each year to hang the beautiful flower baskets and Christmas/holiday decorations in the Historic District – to educate our children in the community about the lovely and historic architecture and to support the Rowley House Museum,” she said.

This year, Young gave a shout out to the the committee and its 15 volunteers adding a Sunday tour of the churches.

She observed how the planning for Victorian Christmas starts as early as March and continues through to November.

Tickets to the tour of homes are $20 with the church tour tickets $10. The tour of churches is done in conjunction with the United Churches of Lycoming County. Tickets are available at the Community Arts Center, Lycoming County Visitors Bureau, Backhouse Coffee and Tea House.

The homeowners are generous and kind to open their homes and ask for those in attendance to honor the health and safety regulations and to wear their masks while inside.

Additionally, a special recognition will be given to Ruth Grieco by her children.

DuBoistown Garden Club

Artisan Market

The club will be hosting the artisan market at the YWCA on West Fourth Street from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday as part of the Victorian Christmas celebration.

Located in the gymnasium of the YWCA, visitors will see many craft and gift items made by garden club members.

The items include wreaths, centerpieces, tree decorations, door decorations, bows, decorated windows, sleighs, and many surprises which are not found in commercial stores.

The garden club supports education by granting scholarships to Pennsylvania College of Technology, Lycoming College and county high schools.

The garden club volunteers also do annual planting and care of flowers in Brandon Park, take part in Wreaths Across America, maintain the Blue Star Memorial Marker and many other activities.

Meetings are held the second Thursday of each month except in December and January. New members and guests are always welcome.

Beth Allison is club chairperson.

To contact, please ask for Lisa at 570-974-9083 or Darlene at 570-323-8073 for more information.