A Christmas tree lighting will be held at the West Lampeter municipal building, 852 Village Road, Lampeter, on Thursday, Dec. 1, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The holiday event has been a tradition in West Lampeter for over a decade and will include live music, festive treats and an appearance from a special guest.

The Christmas tree lighting is a tradition that is loved by the community and well attended each year, and very few changes have been made to it over the several years it has been held. In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, holiday refreshments and treats were distributed in to-go bags as a safety precaution, but the event has remained otherwise unchanged.

The event was first started by a volunteer committee that introduced the idea, asking the township if it would support such an activity. West Lampeter Township had never hosted a holiday activity of this sort before the Christmas tree lighting. Anne Dunnenberger, a member of the committee, took over management of the event in its first year and has coordinated it every year since.

At 7 p.m., the actual tree lighting will occur, and Santa will arrive on a firetruck provided by the Willow Street Fire Company. Contributions will also be made by the Lampeter Fire Company. "I love seeing the kids' faces when Santa comes in on the firetruck," said DeeDee McGuire of West Lampeter Township. "The fire companies have been involved from the beginning, and the community loves it."

After the Christmas tree lighting, attendees will have an opportunity to socialize, share light refreshments and holiday treats and take photos with Santa. Each year, the township recruits a different local act to perform at the Christmas tree lighting. This year's event will also feature performances from Melanie's Miracles Baton Twirling School and the Lampeter-Strasburg High School band.

The event traditionally invites the local state representative to speak at the event, as his or her office is located at the West Lampeter municipal building, and the chairman of West Lampeter's board of supervisors will welcome attendees of the event with a few words. The Willow Street Fire Company, 2901 Willow Street Pike, Willow Street, will host its own Christmas tree lighting on Friday, Dec. 2, at 7 p.m.