According to John Styer, organizer of Christmas in the Park, a Terre Hill Days celebration, this year's event will include the Christmas Light Trail, which will feature more than 100,000 lights, 25 new light displays, and two new scenes. "Those scenes will be a vintage Christmas (theme) and an enchanted forest (theme)," said Styer. He added that the interactive walkthrough Nativity display will be back as well.

Styer and company - up to 20 volunteers - began setting up the Christmas Light Trail in the middle of October. He said it will take 100 volunteers to stage the event, which will be held in the Terre Hill Park, 210 Lancaster Ave., Terre Hill, Fridays through Sundays, Dec. 6 through 8 and 13 through 15, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. each evening. The event is free to attend, but tickets are required to visit the Light Trail or take a horse-drawn carriage ride. Tickets to those activities may be purchased at the event with cash or a credit card or online at http://www.terrehilldays.com on the "Christmas in the Park" page. There is no charge for children age 3 and under to participate.

Entertainment, which was a highlight of the 2023 event, will be available in two locations for the entirety of the celebration. Live musical groups will include the New Holland Brass Band, Holiday Horns, Nick DiSanto - the one-man band, Elvis impersonator Jeff Krick Jr., and the Philadelphia Handbell Ensemble. Jazz fans may enjoy the Bailey Fulginiti Quartet, and bluegrass fans will have the chance to hear the sounds of Ironwood Drive Band. Groups of strolling carolers, including carolers from Cavod, will sing each night.

"More than a dozen local holiday craft vendors will offer a variety of holiday-themed gifts," said Styer, who noted that the Terre Hill Area Historical Society will be on-site with a train display. "The Choo Choo Barn will bring their mobile holiday- themed toy train display, and they will have a Wurlitzer Band Organ at the parking area," Styer pointed out, adding that the festive mini golf will be back, as will live ice carving. "Our new carver will (create a) Santa and a fireplace, among other holiday-themed creations," said Styer, who added that White Oak Ice Company will provide the ice for carving.

The Terre Hill Days food pavilion will be open for the event, and a number of other vendors will be available. "We have expanded our food vendor offerings," said Styer, who noted that in addition to the returning Castanedas Mexican, vendors offering soft pretzels, french fries, mini doughnuts, pulled pork nachos, kettle corn, and funnel cakes will be present. New vendors will include Farmhouse Stickies and Noel's Cafe. "We have a fun specialty hot chocolate stand with seasonal flavors," said Styer, noting this stand will be located in the lower pavilion.

A children's activity tent, called Santa's Workshop, will be filled with representatives from local nonprofit organizations. "We will have many craft activities, and they will all be free," said Styer. "That's where Santa will be." Styer pointed out that Bethany Grace Fellowship will set up a photo corner with an instant camera, and that Terre Hill Boy Scout Troop 172 will be there with their button press. "Lots of local organizations are involved by providing a craft table, having a stand, or staffing the live Nativity," shared Styer.

As in the past, Styer said he is grateful for the sponsorship of area businesses. "We had tremendous support from our local community to be able to continue the event," Styer said of the fundraiser. "The business sponsorships offset the costs of operating it."

One important change from the 2023 event will be the location of the remote parking. "We will be down at the Weaverland Produce Auction at 1030 Precast Road," said Styer. "They have a massive parking lot, and we will be able to park everybody there with shuttle service to the park." There is a nominal charge for parking. Handicapped-accessible parking will be available at the Terre Hill Community Center, and visitors may drop off and pick up their parties at the park.

More information about the event may be found at the aforementioned website.