HAZLETON, Pa. — Downtown Hazleton's CAN DO Community Park will transform into a Christmas Wonderland this weekend. Ali McKittrick, the director of Hazleton Parks & Recreation, says this is all part of the city's new campaign, Hazleton For The Holidays. It is an initiative to show people all that Hazleton offers during the busiest time of the year.
"This Sunday, December 15, will be UNICOS Bon Natale. So it's an Italian festival. They have a whole bunch of stuff going on," McKittrick says.
As part of the Hazleton For The Holidays campaign, the Christmas festivities will begin with Santa Claus parading around Hazleton and ending up at Can Do Community Park's Christmas village.
Holiday vendors will fill the huts, while trumpets will welcome a live nativity. Baby goats will be available to pet, and pictures with the Grinch and Mr. and Mrs. Claus will also be available for free.
Adjacent to the park is the Hayden Family Center for the Arts, home to the Hazleton Art League. The Hazleton Art League Director, Mark Peterson, says the center will host a gingerbread-making station. It will run from 1 to 3 p.m.
"It's $15 per house, and it's for the whole family, so bring the kids, bring the grandparents. It's really going to be great," Peterson says.
But this Sunday is not your only opportunity to enjoy free Christmas fun in downtown Hazleton. December 22 is the last Hazleton For The Holidays event, and officials say Hazleton will see something it hasn't in quite some time.
"Yeah, so the final week, we're really, really excited because we're going to have a horse and carriage ride. They're free, and it's sponsored by Mayor Cusat's Hazleton Revitalization fund. He's taking care of that for people so they don't have to worry about it, and they can just sit out and enjoy themselves, " explained McKittrick.
Miguel Polanco, the CAN DO Community Park marketing specialist, says the park aims to bring Hazletonians together. The park is intentionally placed in an accessible location in the city.
"It's fairly simple to get to the park and enjoy all of the different festivities we have going on, and really, it's just a great way to spread that holiday cheer with the community members as a whole," said Polanco.
"It's long-lasting memories, especially as kids. You come out, and these are the things you remember in your childhood," added McKittrick.
The Christmas village events will run from 2 to 7 p.m. December 15 and 22 at CAN DO Community Park in Hazleton. To learn more about these Hazleton For the Holidays festivities, click here.