Deck the Downtown elves help bring holiday magic to Lewistown
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LEWISTOWN -- While children are busy making Christmas lists and counting down the days until Santa’s arrival, a small team of volunteers is quietly working behind the scenes to make sure downtown Lewistown is decked out for the season.
Much like Santa’s elves preparing for Christmas Eve, members of Deck the Downtown have spent months checking off projects, stringing lights, building decorations and adding holiday touches throughout the borough.
Their workshop isn’t located at the North Pole, however. It’s scattered across garages, basements and downtown sidewalks where volunteers have dedicated countless hours to creating a little holiday magic.
Now entering its third year, the grassroots organization is once again transforming Downtown Lewistown into a winter wonderland, decorating trees, light poles, storefronts and public spaces while organizing family-friendly events that help kick off the holiday season.
“We’re about 90% done,” said Britney Hall, president and one of the group’s founders. “I wish I would have somehow kept track of the number of all the lights. It’s insane.”
For Hall and the roughly dozen volunteers who make up Deck the Downtown, the work begins long before the first strand of lights is plugged in. The group started meeting in the summer, developing plans for this year’s display and identifying ways to expand on what they have accomplished since launching the effort.
This season, visitors will notice more decorated trees, additional lighting on business overhangs and awnings and an increased number of oversized Christmas ornaments throughout the downtown. Many of the decorations were made entirely by hand.
At home, volunteer Barb Lepley spent weeks creating large white snowflakes that now hang on nearly every pole along East and West Market streets. Volunteers also handcrafted decorative garland featuring oversized gold Christmas ornaments, continuing the group’s tradition of creating custom holiday décor rather than purchasing commercial displays.
“It’s almost all homemade,” Hall shared.
One of the largest obstacles the group faces each year is access to enough electrical power to support its growing collection of lights and decorations. Hall said limited power availability remains the biggest challenge as volunteers continue looking for ways to illuminate more of downtown.
Fortunately, some property owners and businesses have stepped forward to help. New ownership at the former SAM Inc. building worked with the group to make electrical connections available for decorations.
Community partnerships have also helped volunteers safely reach some of downtown’s tallest locations. Penn Equipment Co., of Burnham, and Best Line Equipment, of State College, donated use of scissor lifts, allowing volunteers to install decorations in elevated areas that would otherwise be difficult to access. Meanwhile, the Lewistown Borough grounds crew assisted by stringing lights through trees in Monument Square, adding another festive centerpiece to the downtown display. RT Fell & Co., of Lewistown, provided carts for hauling décor across town as well as additional ladders for the group to use.
Despite the increasing scope of the project, the decorating work is still completed by a relatively small group.
“We don’t have a ton of people,” Hall said. Yet those volunteers contribute countless hours each season.
Other Deck the Downtown volunteers include: Olivia Frey, vice president; Natali Foltz, secretary; Lepley, treasurer; Breanna Bodtorf; Christian Davis; Tracie Gemberling; Brooke Kerstetter; Todd Lepley; Leslie Sauer; Chloe Weaver; Nicole Wray; and Ashley Yoder.
Hall, her husband, Cory, and other group members personally spent 12 hours working downtown on a recent Friday, followed by another 8½ hours Saturday before returning Sunday, logging nearly 24 hours in a single weekend. There were more than 12 hours spent the week prior stringing lights on trees.
“It isn’t always fun work,” she added. “But it’s awesome decorating downtown.”
Weather often creates additional headaches. Wind can damage decorations and strands of lights, forcing volunteers to remove and replace displays that stop working. The organization has spent more than $1,500 this year alone and operates solely through donations and fundraising efforts.
The group recently purchased several ladders and continues seeking donations of lights and other materials. Hall said organizers are also working toward obtaining nonprofit status, which would help support future fundraising and growth.
Even with those challenges, she believes support continues to grow each year.
“We’re hoping the momentum keeps coming,” Hall said. That momentum extends beyond decorations.
Deck the Downtown has become increasingly involved in holiday programming throughout Lewistown. This year marks the second year the organization will host the Lewistown Christmas Parade, which serves as the official kickoff for Festival of Ice festivities.
For many years, the Kiwanis Club organized the community’s annual Christmas parade. When participation began to decline, Deck the Downtown stepped forward to help continue the tradition while adding new energy and holiday spirit.
The parade is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 3, stepping off at 6 p.m. through Downtown Lewistown. Houser Event Rental, of Burnham, is sponsoring the event.
Following the parade, Festival of Ice activities will continue Thursday, Dec. 4, and Friday, Dec. 5, bringing residents and visitors downtown for a variety of holiday-themed events.
Deck the Downtown volunteers will host several family activities, including Cookies with Mrs. Claus, sponsored by Chris Warfel State Farm, where children can decorate cookies. Families can also participate in an ornament hunt throughout downtown and visit Santa’s Workshop, where children can purchase gifts for family members for just $2.
Children can also mail letters through Santa’s mailbox located at the Historic Mifflin County Courthouse.
The organization is encouraging downtown businesses to embrace the holiday spirit as well. Volunteers are working with local painters and businesses on window decorating projects designed to brighten storefronts and create an even more festive atmosphere.
“We want to make it bigger and better every year,” Hall said.
To donate to Deck the Downtown, their Venmo is @Deckthe-downtown or stop by any MCS Bank branch.