State College’s ‘Light up Downtown’ event set for next week. Here’s when Santa, trolley will appear
Downtown State College is gearing up for an event next week that will feature Santa Claus, free trolley rides, snacks, entertainment — and a whole lot of lights and decorations.
The second annual “Light Up Downtown” will kick off at 5 p.m. Nov. 18 at the Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza, culminating in a holiday light show there before a trolley-riding Santa — and a few lucky children — ride around the downtown to “light up,” or turn on the holiday lights, at several other locations.
Those lights and decorations will then remain on display through Jan. 2.
“The holidays are a magical time and our goal is to transform Downtown State College into a winter wonderland where people of all ages will find joy,” said Lee Anne Jeffries, executive director of the Downtown State College Improvement District (DSCID), which organized the event. “We encourage the community to rediscover our unique local businesses during this time, grab a bite to eat and check some things off their shopping list.”
Some of the available festivities on Nov. 18, from 5-8 p.m., include free hot cocoa and popcorn at MLK Plaza, free balloon animals, Monster D drawings, Santa/Alpha Fire truck photos (until 7 p.m.) and a 7 p.m. performance by the Central PA Dance Workshop.
Free trolley rides will be available from 5-8 p.m., running from Fraser Street to Locust Lane and back. The rides will also be available again Dec. 3-4 and Dec. 10-11.
Residents are asked to bring a new toy for Toys for Tots or a non-perishable item for the food bank, as a table set up at MLK Plaza will be collecting those items. Those who take part will qualify for a 7 p.m. drawing that will randomly determine the “lucky children” who ride in the trolley with Santa.
Other locations, besides MLK Plaza, that will be enhanced with lights and decorations this holiday season:
Gingerbread Walkway: The Calder Way Lights will start around 7 p.m. Nov. 18, in coordination with the holiday light show at MLK Plaza. They’ll run every night from dusk until 10 p.m., as two blocks of the walkway — between Fraser and Pugh streets — will sparkle. Residents are also encouraged to stop by the community garden to visit the “gingerbread family” for a photo.
Garland Gateway: The traditional evergreen, at the Allen Street Gates, will be lit up around 7:20 p.m. Nov. 18 by Santa and his trolley.
Enchanted Forest: Stop at the corner of College Avenue and Locust Lane to see how 10 local nonprofits decorated their trees for a friendly contest of sorts. Vote on your favorite tree by Dec. 5, and the nonprofit winner will receive $1,000.
Candy Cane Lane: In the Centennial Walkway, the beloved pig statues will be aglow with festive lights.
Although this is just the second year for “Light Up Downtown,” the event can trace its roots back to 2014. A Ferguson Township man — and lighting expert — entertained locals with lights at his home that were synced to 88.5 FM so passing cars could enjoy the free show. That resident, Eric Stoner, was in the process of moving last year so he worked with the DSCID to move his show downtown while other festivities were added.
The event is done in partnership between the Downtown State College Improvement District, State College Borough and Happy Valley Adventure Bureau. It is sponsored by KCF Technologies.
More information on “Light Up Downtown” can be found on the improvement district’s Facebook page and official website.
