YORK, Pa. — Light Up York held in the downtown area's continental square Friday evening kicked off the holiday season for the York community.
"It puts you in the Christmas spirit and gets you in the mood for all the upcoming festivities," said Tammy Lohss, a Dover resident who attended the event with her daughter.
"We’re out here having a good time, with the kids, we’re just looking at everything, taking in everything the scenes and the lights," said Chena Chisolm of York.
There was no shortage of holiday favorite activities for people to enjoy including, an inflatable holiday forest, a chance to meet Santa and the Grinch and the annual lighting of the York Christmas Tree.
"If you’re not ready we’re going to kick you right into the holiday spirit here," said Kate Harmon, an organizer of Light Up York. "We have so much going on when it comes to holiday fun tonight. Keystone Kid Space is in the Golden Swan building full of crafts and activities for kids, the old Citizens Bank building is going to be filled with inflatables all night for your pictures, the grumpy old Grinch is going to be downtown and then on top of that it’s regular first Friday."
Following musical performances and speeches from a variety of community organizations, Police Commissioner Michael Muldrow had the honor of 'flicking the switch' and igniting the York downtown area into a winter wonderland.
It was an event that kicked off the holiday season all while bringing the community together.
"It’s just such a great moment to bring our community together right before the holiday season," said Harmon. "It’s hard to not smile when you’re standing here and the tree lights up and Santa’s around and just the joy in children’s eyes on light up night is always great."