MONTROSE, Pa. — The locals say it's the most wonderful time of the year in Montrose—all because it's time for Christmas in Montrose.
The annual festival captures the joy of the holiday season and celebrates the close-knit, neighbor-helping-neighbor values that make the small town so special.
The celebration officially starts with a tree-lighting ceremony in the center of Main Street.
Getting into the holiday spirit isn't hard for the people living in Montrose. But getting ready for Christmas in Montrose is something that can't be done alone, which is why they called on the Susquehanna County Career and Technology Center to help turn Main Street into a Christmas village.
"It was a challenge because our shop isn't enormous, but we had to make room. They wanted ten of these, and students got all excited but then asked, 'How are we going to make ten?'" said Bruce Castelli, a carpentry instructor at SCCTC.
He's talking about the storefronts that are lining the green in the center of Montrose.
With the number of vendors increasing to 80 this year, the committee needed more storefronts to enhance the tables of potential presents—a task junior carpentry student Carter Capwell was willing to take on.
"We had to move everything outside and try to somehow manage to make a little assembly line to get them all done," Capwell said.
He and his best friend, senior Dylan Sharer, say the hardest part was organizing the assembly line of student workers.
"It was me and two other kids that built the actual windows. And then we assisted in putting all the trim work on," Sharer said.
"Dylan and I were putting them on so fast that they really couldn't keep up with us," Capwell added.
After working nonstop for three weeks, the storefronts were completed in time for the first day of December and the Christmas in Montrose celebration.
"You saw the smiles on the people's faces when they came and picked these up yesterday. They couldn't believe it. And the smile of the students carrying them into the trucks," Castelli said.
Throughout the weekend, there is something for all ages to enjoy, free events and vendors to help check things off the gift shopping list.
For a full schedule of holiday events, click here.