BY JIM LOCKWOOD
Scranton is sprucing up for the holidays.
The Holiday Light Show at Nay Aug Park begins at 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22, when Mayor Wayne Evans and guests throw the switch.
The Department of Public Works and the Scranton Municipal Recreation Authority added numerous new light displays and installed over 10,000 LED bulbs throughout the popular attraction, authority Chairman Bob Gattens said.
A new feature this year is the addition of music for visitors to hear while they drive through the park by tuning their car radios to 96.7 FM. Reindeer that sing along with the music have also been added to the end of the light show.
At the end of the light-show display, donations are encouraged to support the show and park. All contributions benefit Nay Aug Park.
Also new this year, in the area across from the Everhart Museum, 72 wreaths decorated by neighbors, friends of the park and businesses adorn newly installed lampposts.
“You will be amazed at the talent and craftsmanship” of the wreath decorations, Gattens said. “This is an area we encourage everyone to walk through and enjoy.”
Santa also will visit various nights throughout the season.
Horse-drawn carriage rides around the park will be available, for a fee, Thursdays through Sundays, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. The carriage rides start behind the museum.
Meanwhile, the popular David Wenzel Treehouse has been closed for winter and will reopen in spring.
Scranton Tomorrow also is working with local businesses with “Deck the Downtown” holiday shopping promotions continuing through Dec. 25. Check Scranton Tomorrow’s Facebook page for lists of participating businesses.
Among the promotions:
- Give Thanks Video Series. Scranton Tomorrow is producing a holiday video series featuring different downtown businesses daily. The videos will publish on Scranton Tomorrow’s Facebook and Instagram pages now through Nov. 27 using the hashtag #GiveThanks. Scranton Tomorrow also will feature a new business daily on social media as part of its 25 Days of Downtown, from Dec. 1 through 25 using the hashtag #25DaysofDowntown.
- Black Friday, Nov. 29. Sales, incentives and signature holiday drinks and dishes will be available at downtown stores and restaurants. Holiday maps will be available for download at scrantontomorrow.org.
- Small Business Saturday, Nov. 30. More than 50 retailers and restaurants will offer special promotions. Scranton Tomorrow has organized downtown Scranton’s Small Business Saturday since 2011. Hashtags include #smallbusinesssaturday, #shopsmall, #shoplocal, #eatlocal and #smallbiz.
- Flurry of Feasts, now through Nov. 30. Select downtown restaurants and cafes are offering holiday promotions using the hashtag #FlurryOfFeasts. Business owners interested in registering for the program should contact Victoria Pennington, social media campaign strategist, Scranton Tomorrow, at scranton2morrow@gmail.com.
- Cyber Monday, Dec. 2. Local shops will also offer online deals, and restaurants will create holiday specials as part of Cyber Monday.
- Holiday Window Decorating Showcase, Dec. 6 through Jan. 3, 2020, A downtown Scranton tradition, the annual Holiday Window Decorating Showcase will feature festive window displays in more than 50 businesses.
Contact the writer: jlockwood@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5185; @jlockwoodTT on Twitter
