POTTSTOWN PA – With the regional office of the National Weather Service predicting showers and gusty winds to continue into Saturday afternoon (Dec. 3), Santa Claus paid attention. He and Christmas kick-off organizers have rescheduled the downtown Pottstown “Holiday Stroll and Tree Lighting” for Sunday (Dec. 4) beginning at noon.
Sunday’s weather is expected to be mostly sunny, with a high near 43 and winds from the northwest at a low 5 miles and hour. So much the better for St. Nick, who probably prefers to avoid a chill until the holiday arrives. There’s a full schedule of fun and activities for what’s now dubbed as “Santa Sunday!”
Things start at noon at Riverfront Park on College Drive, where Santa will dramatically arrive by dragon boat that carries him across the Schuylkill River. Show up in person to welcome him, and take what will be rare future photos of the honored guest unaccompanied by Rudolph and the remaining reindeer.
While waiting for Santa to show up, or after he does, stop to visit the nearby Schuylkill River Greenways’ River of Revolutions Interpretive Center, 140 College Dr. Enjoy its free tour and stories about the river’s roles in three revolutions: the American, Industrial and Environmental. It features interactive exhibits, as well as maps, video monitors, informative wall panels, and family-friendly displays. The center will be open Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
From 12:30 p.m. throughout the day, adults and kids alike can tackle the self-guided Scavenger Hunt and Steps Challenge, presented by Pottstown Hospital. The hunt extends across College Drive, and Hanover and High streets, with informational brochures and pedometers available from Riverfront Park beginning at noon. The theme for this year’s hunt is a holiday favorite: “It’s A Wonderful Life.”
While the family is trooping through downtown, visit its local merchants and restaurants for plenty of bargains that make holiday gift-giving – whether for yourself or someone else – affordable. Pottstown’s retailing community has grown significantly during the past year, and there are a variety of new shops to visit.
The Alley, a popular gathering spot at 228 E. High St., will be open from 3:30-5:30 p.m. to play host to Santa, with hot chocolate and other beverages available for purchase. The dragon boat he rode in on will be there as well, you visitors to examine and learn more about.
Sunday’s activities will be capped off beginning at 6 p.m., infused by holiday spirit in Smith Family Plaza on East High Street, and the adjacent steps of Borough Hall. Pottstown school students and several of the community’s senior volunteers will be on hand to present Christmas caroling. Winners of this year’s downtown Holiday Planter Competition will be announced.
Pottstown Area Economic Development Corp. also is a sponsor of Santa Sunday. Get an advance peek at the planter competitors; see its online video here.
And the borough tree-lighting ceremony, sponsored by PECO Energy, will bathe downtown in a Christmas glow, accompanied by cookies and cocoa furnished by Beverly’s Pastry Shop, 322 E. High St.
Photo by Andrew Lozovyi via Deposit Photos, used under license
