The borough was the site of a special weekend celebration to usher in the holiday season while also promoting Allentown businesses.
by James McEvoy, Managing Editor
ALLENTOWN — The borough was the site of a special weekend celebration to usher in the holiday season while also promoting Allentown businesses.
The Allentown Business Community Association its held a holiday open house, which included a tree lighting and visit from Santa at Sensi Park on Dec. 7.
In addition, the association hosted a cookie-decorating contest that evening. The winners received gift certificates to be used at a variety of local businesses, many of which had extended hours during the weekend.
The festive evening also included hot cider and cocoa, other treats, carols and the Allentown High School Choir performing in front of the Old Mill.
Local businesses ran a variety of specials during the weekend’s festivities.
Debra Richford, Allentown Business Association president, said the event represented an effort to support local businesses, particularly in the downtown area, while bringing the community together to kick off the holiday season.
”The nice part about it is trying to get everybody together because nobody’s ever out on the streets anymore,” Ms. Richford said. “Everybody’s at organized events, other places. So it’s good to get them downtown, hopefully they’ll do some shopping later.”
She said oftentimes members of the community will only know each other from sporting events or social media.
”You just can’t do Facebook all the time. You got to get out there and actually see the people,” she said, adding that some Upper Freehold businesses were also involved with the event.
Laurie D’auria, who brought her children out to meet Santa and enjoy the festivities, said it was a nice opportunity for everyone in the community to come together.
”It’s nice to see everyone out,” Ms. D’auria said. “It’s good to see all the kids. It’s very nice.”
First place in the cookie-decorating contest was Dara Kelly, 13, of Groveville. She was followed by Ana Anderson, 12, of Hamilton Square, Thomas Bellanova, 7, of Allentown, and Jonathan Bellanova, 6, of Hamilton, respectively.

