Easton Main Street Initiative (EMSI) and West Ward Community Initiative (WWCI) are finding new ways to provide festive, socially-distant fun outdoors through the holiday season.
West Ward Festivities
West Ward Community Initiative will partner with West Ward WISE for a Grab & Go Wreath event. West Ward families can stop by Centennial Park to pick up a decorating kit that includes a fresh greens wreath, handmade bow, decorations, and supplies to create a wreath at home. Kits are free, but registration is required. Sign-up online at westwardeaston.org. Kits can be picked up at noon on Dec. 13 at Centennial Park, 12th & Ferry streets.
The wreaths will spruce up houses just in time for the first Holiday Decorating Contest in the West Ward, the brainchild of resident Marilyn Mayer. Participants can deck their house with lights, inflatables, greens, candles, wreaths, and more. Participants are asked to register their address with christmasinthewestward@gmail.com by Dec. 13. Judges will be out Dec. 19 to award prizes for Best Block, Brightest House, Most Colorful, Most Creative, Best Business, and Best in Show. This is open to all houses and businesses in the West Ward, Sixth to 15th Streets and Elm to Jackson Streets.
WWCI will coordinate Peace & Light Night through the West Ward. Residents and businesses are encouraged to place luminaria outside their homes from 6-8 p.m. Dec. 19 to show solidarity and unity as a neighborhood. Kits featuring luminary designs cut by Matt Laska, of Knecht: Parts & Assembly, can be picked up on Dec. 13 at the Grab & Go Wreath Event or participants can make their own. The YMCA of Easton, Phillipsburg & Vicinity, and the Rotary Club of Easton will be at Centennial Park handing out children’s books and take-home activities and Fidelity Bank will be handing out candy canes and coloring pages.
Visit Facebook.com/westwardcommunityinitiative for more info on a scavenger hunt, map of contest entrants in the Holiday Decorating Contest treats and takeout dinner specials. We have it on good authority that Santa Claus might be strolling through the neighborhood that night as well.
"We live in a wonderful, walkable neighborhood and the Peace & Light Night will be a great way to show off our community pride and simply enjoy the holiday spirit,” says Amy Boccadoro, manager-West Ward Community Initiative. “Whether neighbors decorate their homes or participate with the luminaries, it's a great way to come together during these difficult times and give us all a little light at the end of this year."
Downtown Easton Fun
Visitors to the Winter Village in Historic Easton will delight in the fresh greens and wreaths that adorn the shops and restaurants of Downtown Easton. It's the second annual coordinated holiday decorating effort by Easton Main Street Initiative. This year, 81 shops participated. Bloomie’s Floral Shop provided the fresh greens and EMSI volunteers tied 220 red ribbons and delivered and hung all the greens throughout the town.
“This is something we’ve wanted to do for a number of years,” said Kim Kmetz, manager-EMSI. “The fresh greens and vibrant red ribbons, the twinkling lights surrounding the Peace Candle and the snowflakes the City of Easton installs all combine to make the downtown shine this time of year.”
This year, the EMSI Events Committee volunteers will award a prize to the best-decorated space in the Most Festive Storefront Contest. The committee will judge the nominees and award a prize (complete with a sign for the store’s window, Downtown Easton gift card, and free listing on the Easton Map & Guide for 2021) to the winner.
There’s also a contest underway for the best-decorated hut at the Winter Village — and that People’s Choice contest needs votes from the community to determine the winner. Visitors can use a QR code located on a sign at the Info Hut when they’re at the village to vote for their favorite. The winner will receive a Downtown Easton gift card and complimentary marketing opportunities. Mayor Sal Panto Jr. will also award the Mayor’s Choice Award.
The best way to admire Easton’s festive decorations? In a Cinderella Carriage Ride of course! Easton Main Street Initiative’s Cinderella Carriage Rides will return for two additional dates. Rides will be offered from 2-8 p.m. Dec. 12 and Dec. 19 in Centre Square. The 15-minute horse-drawn carriage winds its way through Downtown Easton and can fit up to four people in one party. The carriage rides cost $40. Rides start from Centre Square and ticket holders should check-in at the Carriage Ride tent in front of Crayola at least five minutes prior to their ride. Tickets must be purchased online in advance: Facebook.com/events/839136313488451.
More info on the Winter Village in Historic Easton can be found at eastonwintervillage.com.
Ongoing Events & Promotions
Easton Farmers’ Market Holiday Edition
From fa-la-la-la fresh produce to handmade artisan crafts and gourmet items, the Easton Farmers’ Market Holiday Edition offers a bevy of treats to choose from. This year, the market will be located at Scott Park with free parking at 101 Larry Holmes Drive, thanks to Riverstar Properties. Visit the market from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays (Dec. 12 & 19) and enjoy wood-fired warming stations as you shop from 20+ vendors, including; Apple Ridge Farm, Breakaway Farms, Cabbage Throw Farm, Fieldstone Coffee Roasters + Tea, Flour Shop Bakery, Haven Farmstead Table, Jersey Pickles, Phillips Farms, Pie+Tart, Primordia Mushrooms, Salvaterra’s Gardens, Scholl Orchards, Stagecoach Apiaries, Teels Hill Soapworks, Tolino Vineyards, AquaSprouts, Brady’s Botanicals, Fraktured Sauce, Heart Beet Studios, Mayamam Weavers, Mediterra and The Bubbly Goat.
More: eastonfarmersmarket.com
Free Holiday Parking Promotion
The City of Easton will again offer free metered on-street parking and surface lot parking during the holiday season. Free metered parking continues on Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 20 in Downtown Easton. The promotion does not apply to city parking garages.
Collectible Easton Ornament
Add a sweet memory to your tree this year. The 2020 collectible ornament features the Carmelcorn Shop, an Easton staple since 1931. Ornaments cost $20 (cash only) and are handcrafted in the U.S.A. Other ornaments that were featured in previous years, including the Easton Peace Candle, Easton Bugler, Easton Farmers’ Market, Cottingham Stadium and The State Theatre, can also be purchased for $20. The ornaments will be sold online at store.shopdowntowneaston.com and at the following locations within Downtown Easton:
●The Info Tent at Easton Farmers’ Market (10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Saturdays, Scott Park, Larry Holmes Dr.).
●Info Hut at the Winter Village (Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays - Nov. 27-Dec. 20, Downtown Easton)
●Carmel corn Shop, 62 Centre Square (carmelcornshop.com)
●Connexions Gallery, 213 Northampton St. (connexionsgallery.com)
●Mercantile Outpost (inside Easton Public Market, 325 Northampton St.)
Proceeds from sales go to support the events and initiatives of the nonprofit Greater Easton Development Partnership.
More: store.shopdowntowneaston.com
Gift Cards
Gift cards give the receiver the gift of choice -- all while supporting local shops and restaurants in Downtown Easton. Gift cards for the Easton Public Market or Downtown Easton are available at the gift card kiosk inside Easton Public Market, 325 Northampton St. The kiosk takes credit or debit card payments. Both cards can be purchased in select denominations online at store.shopdowntowneaston.com. Cards can be shipped to the buyer or gift recipient.
The Easton Public Market gift card can be used at any of the market’s 14 vendors; the Downtown Easton card can be used at more than 40 locations in Downtown Easton.
ABOUT: PA Bacon Fest is a fundraiser for Greater Easton Development Partnership. GEDP is a volunteer-driven, 501(c)3 nonprofit organization focused on nurturing Easton's economic well-being and cultural vibrancy. It encompasses Easton Farmers’ Market, Easton Main Street Initiative, Easton Public Market, Easton Ambassadors and PA Bacon Fest. For more information, contact Executive Director Jared Mast at 610-250-2078 or jared@eastonpartnership.org. Visit us online at eastonpartnership.org.
