Edgewood Lights Up for Holidays

Edgewood residents bundled up and gathered in Memorial Park Friday night to celebrate Light Up Edgewood.

Sponsored by the , the volunteer fire department, and the borough, the evening featured a performance from members of the , a visit from Santa Claus, and plenty of hot cocoa—not to mention the lights.

Around 7 p.m., a fire truck brought Santa to the children. The borough then flipped the switch, lighting up a large Christmas tree in Memorial Park.

After about 15 minutes in the cold, the celebration moved to C. C. Mellor Memorial Library, where members of the Edgewood Symphony Orchestra had begun playing holiday tunes. Members of the Edgewood Foundation manned the hot cocoa table.

“This is a real good way to bring everyone back together,” said Angel Lehrian, the foundation’s vice president. “It’s just as much a social event for the parents as it is for the kids.”

In the next room, Santa took Christmas wishes, and fire Chief Dave Andrews handed treat bags to children.

“This year, I got a break from being Santa,” Andrews said with a laugh.

“It’s our way of giving back to the community,” he said. “And I get to harass all the kids in the neighborhood—at least the ones I know.”

In the past, children had received small toys, Lehrian said. But this year, volunteers decided to go with a Marine-sponsored Toys for Tots collection.

“It’s been consistently wonderful,” said council President Pat Schaefer. “It’s been a reflection of what the community needs, at the time it needs it.”