Christmas time is officially here! Quakertown kicked off the holiday season with the tree lighting on Friday, December 2nd at 5:30 until 8:00 pm. This event is meant to bring the community together and welcome visitors downtown. Many people associate the time of Christmas with joy because it brings friends and families together. 

This year’s Tree Lighting featured Santa and Mrs. Claus, a live nativity scene, alpacas, a train that pulled kids around, Quakertown High School’s Varsity Singers, vendors, and, of course, the lighting of the tree. Sadly, multiple students from Quakertown High School stated the tree lighting was uneventful. Maddie Byrnes, a senior at Quakertown high school, claims, “Although the tree was pretty, the actual lighting of the tree was anticlimactic and could have been more exciting.” Maddie agrees the other events presented at the event were exciting.

The Tree Lighting additionally brought many customers into the Trolley Barn, a public marketplace in Quakertown where residents and visitors can dine-in or takeout from a variety of food places. There are plenty of seats and tables as well as an outdoor space with campfires. The Tree Lighting caused the Trolley Barn to be packed full of people on Friday night. Each place had insanely long lines. Santa and Mrs. Claus came to Trolley Barn later in the night to warm up, get some food, and greet the kids. There was also live music to entertain the customers and get everyone in the Christmas spirit.

The following weekend Quakertown High School held a HolidayFest and Craft Fair (run by QMPO). This event featured special holiday performances by different QCSD music ensembles. It consisted of 140 + crafters and vendors selling unique gifts and crafts as well as prizes, 50/50 tickets, and holiday raffle baskets. A student at Quakertown High School, Brianna Stefenack, shared, “There were a lot of people with awesome things to share and sell. They were all very kind” which goes to show the welcoming people Quakertown brings to their events. Additionally, there were many different food options offered throughout the day and more fun activities such as the “Holiday Hunt,” a scavenger hunt open to kids and adults with  prizes. 

Quakertown holds many events, some not only pertaining to the holidays. On Sunday, December 18th, Quakertown held an All You Can Eat Breakfast Buffet at Benner Hall for all members of the community. This event raised money for the Richlandtown Fire Company and was run by volunteers only. The food included pancakes, french toast, waffles, scrambled eggs, coffee, orange juice, etc. Many people came in support of the cause and, as described by a junior volunteer at Quakertown High school, Emma Pham, “The event was a great way for the community to come together on a Sunday morning before the holidays. Everyone I met was kind and appreciative.” Also, Santa made an appearance for most of the breakfast, allowing kids to take pictures on his lap and for more fun and Christmas spirit before the holidays!

Overall, Quakertown is clearly prepared and excited for the holiday season. Enjoy the time with friends and family and have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New year!