Schaefferstown’s second annual Christmas on the Square will be held on Sunday, Nov. 26, from 5 to 7 p.m., in the parking lot between the Franklin House Tavern and the Brendle Museum. The rain date is Sunday, Dec. 3.
Event co-organizer Allison Ebersole is a direct descendent of Alexander Schaeffer and a lifelong resident of Schaefferstown.
Ebersole wanted “to see the community come alive again,” so she teamed up with her hairstylist, Amanda Bashore, and Marshall Kramer to form the Residents of Schaefferstown events committee.
The committee has organized several Schaefferstown-based events, one of which was Christmas on the Square. While Ebersole described the organizational process behind the event as “very grassroots,” it is estimated to have attracted between 200 to 250 people last year.
“We partnered with the Franklin House, and they are helping us with the event,” Ebersole said. “So, they do a lot of donating for us and provide staff.”
Ebersole said the owners of the Franklin House Tavern, Brock Moshier, Kyle Weaver, and Jennifer Oliviero, and their crew, as well as volunteers from the community, helped make the event possible.
Admission to Christmas on the Square is free. Food and beverages, including hot dogs, the Franklin House Tavern’s special dinner options, award-winning chili, holiday-themed cocktails, and hot chocolate, will be available for purchase.
There will also be a food truck at the event selling cheesesteaks, cheeseburgers, grilled cheese, and cold beverages.
“At the beginning of the event, Santa Claus is going to be driving around Schaefferstown and will then make his appearance right around 5 o’clock at the square,” Ebersole said. Children will then have the opportunity to get their picture taken with Santa.
The Gemberling-Rex House, which is owned by Historic Schaefferstown, will be open for tours during the event. There will also be a bonfire with marshmallows to roast.
New this year is the lighting of a Christmas tree, provided by the Franklin House Tavern, that will conclude the event.
The parking lot between the Franklin House Tavern and the Brendle Museum will be closed to vehicular traffic during the event for safety reasons.
Ebersole said, “We’re just recommending to people to find parking along the street in town for the event.” Event attendees can also park in the lower section of St. Luke’s Church’s parking lot.
Ebersole considered the event to be ADA-accessible as it “will be happening on pretty much a flat surface.”
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