Mainspring Plans Seasonal Events In Ephrata

"We have so much going on here in Ephrata that we truly can create a destination," said Joy Ashley, executive director of Mainspring of Ephrata. Ashley is looking forward to sharing the many holiday events being planned in Ephrata with area residents from all around the county.

"We have very enriching activities and events planned," she added, referencing the schedule that begins on Black Friday and continues through New Year's Eve and beyond.

Ashley described the Christmas tree-lighting ceremony, which will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 25. "We close the Main Street," she said of the tradition, adding that the tree will be installed in front of Ephrata National Bank, 31 E. Main St., Ephrata. Ashley explained that the Belsnickel will ride through town first, paying homage to local history. "There's always singing, and Santa's arrival will be on the roof of the bank. The fire department will bring him down." Santa will then be available to meet children at the Ephrata Visitors Center, 16 E. Main St., Ephrata.

The next day, Saturday, Nov. 26, a Holiday Market will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Whistle Stop Plaza, located at the visitors center. The second crafters event will help support local makers and celebrate Small Business Saturday.

Other Christmas events will include the Ephrata Cloister candlelight open house on Nov. 26 and Christmas at the Cloister on Monday, Dec. 12, and Tuesday, Dec. 13. Lantern tours will be held there Tuesday through Friday, Dec. 27 to 30. More information may be found at http://www.ephratacloister.org.

The Short Line Model Railroad Club train display will be open each weekend from Saturday, Dec. 3, through Sunday, Jan. 15. Readers may learn more about the club at http://www.slmrc.com.

The Ephrata Performing Arts Center (EPAC) will celebrate the season with a performance of the musical "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Jr." on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from Friday, Dec. 2, through Sunday, Dec. 18. More information about the show may be found at https://epactheatre.org.

Journey to Bethlehem, an interactive live Nativity at Woodcrest Retreat, will be held Fridays, Dec. 9 and 16, and Saturdays, Dec. 10 and 17. Details of the event are available at http://www.WoodcrestRetreat.org.

Jingle Bell Tours, which visit decorated Ephrata homes and businesses, will be held for the ninth year. A family night will be held on Dec. 9, and an adult night will be held on Dec. 10. Tickets may be purchased by searching for "Jingle Bell Trolley Tour 2022" at http://www.eventbrite.com.

Mainspring will also hold its first New Year's Eve event, called Ephrata Unexpected. "We are closing Main Street and the first blocks of North and South State," said Ashley, who noted that a stage near the Royer Building will host the Steel Radiance, an all-girl band that will play from 9:30 p.m. until midnight. Food and beverage vendors will line Main Street, and the plaza will be cordoned off as a beer garden. At midnight, an icon will be raised, and fireworks will be set off to welcome the new year.

More information is available at https://mainspringofephrata.org/holidays-in-ephrata.