For centuries, people have gathered in the Maytown Square for meetings, events, fellowship and community connection. That tradition will continue on Saturday, Nov. 29, when the Maytown Civic Association hosts a Square Lighting.

The celebration will begin at 4:30 p.m. in front of the Maytown Historical Society, 4 W. High St.

"Free hot cocoa and cookies will be served during a time of Christmas caroling led by the Donegal High School Rhythm Singers and a brief Christmas message offered by pastor Dan Blank of Reich's EC Church," said Cindy Wivell, admissions manager of Paramount Senior Living and current president of the Maytown Civic Association. "At 5:15 p.m., traffic through the Maytown Square will be halted while the crowd is led to the center square for a ceremonious countdown to the Square Lighting. The evening will culminate with the singing of 'Silent Night.'"

A Nativity scene will also be featured at the event, enhancing a tradition that began almost 80 years ago.

In about 1948, after Maytown resident and Maytown Church of God elder Richard Gallo returned from World War II, he built a Nativity for the square.

"It was presumedly displayed every Christmas season until it became in disrepair," Wivell said. "While all the other figures of the Nativity scene were replaced over the years, the stable, originally made out of tobacco lath, remained on display each year. Unfortunately, the original stable went missing during the offseason, leaving the Nativity without a stable in 2023."

 Maytown is known for keeping traditions alive, she said, so in December 2024, a concerned resident built a new one.

"Local Constable Paul Castline took it upon himself to build a replica stable and deliver it before Christmas Day so Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus had shelter before His day of celebration," Wivell related. "Maytown is also known for residents working together for a good cause, so Ed Jones, father to Tom Jones, state representative, and volunteer caretaker of the Maytown Square, has volunteered to stain and protect the stable and store it for safekeeping during the offseason."

Ed is no stranger to square improvements, she noted, adding that he regularly mows the grass, pulls the weeds and keeps the monuments and fencing freshly painted.

"He kept the original stable in good repair and had recently upgraded the stable prior to it going missing in 2023," Wivell said.

For many years, members of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 809, led by Maytown native Sara Gutshall, oversaw the maintenance of the square. The auxiliary also provides Wreaths Across America, which are displayed each Christmas on the square, and the group purchases annuals each spring for local Boy Scout Troop 53 to plant.

This year's Square Lighting will be a bittersweet one. Gutshall passed away in August at the age of 86.

"It is important to note that Gutshall, a passionate supporter of the military and tradition, worked hard to ensure that the Maytown Center Square was registered as a historical site, and it remains as such today," Wivell said.

While the square has been decorated for the holidays for many years, this will be the second year that the Maytown Civic Association has hosted an event to include a gathering of the community to witness the illumination of the square.

"Maytown has a rich history of close family ties and tradition," Wivell said. "It's important to go the extra mile to keep the traditions alive for our community today to enjoy what generations before us put into place for their own enjoyment."

A new decoration will be added to the square this year, said Maytown resident Linda Good. Local farmer Doug Witman has created a beautiful 10-foot Christmas light tree, she explained.

Wivell and Good hope people will come out for a community celebration to kick off the holiday season.

"Special moments, like Christmas caroling in the center square and watching the Nativity and tree being illuminated, can become a treasured memory for young and old alike," Wivell said. "Maytown is a town rooted in history and tradition and without events like this, our busy lives can take over and cause us to miss opportunities to be still and enjoy the community we live in and enjoy each other."