The City of Hazleton inaugurated its annual holiday festivities with the first weekend of the Christmas Village and Santa parades at the Hazleton Art League on December 7, 2023. Spanning three Sundays this month, the Christmas Village features local vendors and artisans showcasing a variety of unique goods, from jewelry to baked treats.
Every Sunday, families can expect visits from Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, who will greet children and pose for photographs after parading through the city. The parade route changes each week, adding an element of surprise to the festivities. This community initiative not only promotes holiday cheer but also supports local businesses, fostering connections among residents.
Local entrepreneur Samantha Kronstadt from Tamaqua, who launched her business, Sealed With a Kiss Cupcakes, in June, is one of the vendors at the Christmas Village. Operating out of the Kitchen Incubator, Kronstadt expressed her enthusiasm for participating in the event. “You’re supporting small businesses and you’re supporting small business in the community,” she said. “It’s a great way to meet the community and for the community to meet you.”
Residents eagerly awaited Santa’s arrival during the event at CANDO Park. Children, including Raphael Garica, 5, and Sophia Garica, 2, shared their excitement, highlighting the strong community spirit surrounding the celebrations.
Kronstadt noted that the Christmas Village serves a dual purpose: spreading holiday joy and promoting local entrepreneurship. She emphasized the value of networking opportunities during the event. “Even if someone from the community comes in who isn’t a vendor, but they do charity work or other events outside of this, then you get to meet them and pair with them,” she remarked.
Another vendor, Marybeth Scarcella, showcased her hand-knitted scarves and hats, which she has crafted since childhood. Scarcella learned about the event through social media and was motivated to participate. “I wanted to be a part of the community to participate with this for the holidays,” she said, expressing hope that the event will continue to grow in future years.
The Christmas Village is part of the larger Hazleton for the Holidays celebration, a collaborative effort between the City of Hazleton, CAN DO, the Downtown Hazleton Alliance for Progress, the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce, the Hazleton Art League, the Hazleton Public Library, and the Hazleton LaunchBox, with support from Pasco L. Schiavo.
The Santa parades and Christmas Village will continue on December 14 and 21, from 15:00 to 19:00, providing more opportunities for families to engage in the holiday spirit while supporting local artisans and businesses.
