Christmas gathering

Borough’s first annual parade, tree lighting a success

Bally kicked off the Christmas season with a parade which brought Santa to town on Dec. 3. Then, after dark, the town’s first community Christmas tree was light.

Santa arrived in a white carriage pulled by a team of horses. He followed the festively decorated Bally emergency vehicles. After arriving at the Bally Firehouse, he went inside where he then listened to the children of the area tell him what they hoped for for Christmas.

In the evening the community gathered for cookies, hot chocolate, and carols. The Bally Mennonite Youth Group choir and the Most Blessed Sacrament Church Choir lead the singing.

Everyone in the community was invited to bring an ornament to trim the tree. Eleanor Ritter, a life-long Bally resident, said “It was a beautiful event. We’ve never had anything like that in all the years I’ve lived here. We went down to look at the tree in

the daylight and there are some really beautiful ornaments on the tree.”

She noted there were new and old residents at the event where it felt like everyone knew each other. Plus, she said, resident from surrounding communities joined the celebration.

Dave Schott, Bally’s mayor and event organizer, said “I am happy that the parade and the tree lighting could bring our small community together. When I heard all the people singing with the choirs, just warmed my heart, there was a sense of community and holiday spirit.”

He continued, “My sincere thanks go out to the Bally Lions Club, Goodwill Fire Company Bally, Joe Trotter and Trotter Carriages, Bally Boy Scout Troop, Bally Police Department, Eastern Berks Fire Department, Bally Community Ambulance, Doug Landis, Helen Moll, and our characters Angelique, Anthony and Nick Bauer, Brian Gehman, Elliot and Emma Schott, Seth Shaw, Vincent, Michael and Blake Patten, and Jordon Groff. I would like to thank all our volunteers, Wendy and Glenn Mutter and Kris Raedler, Cindy and Matt Gehman, Borough Council, Borough Manager, Boots Mutter and all the Borough employees. I want to thank my wife, Kim Schott for all her work in prepping for the parade and getting all the kids ready. And finally, I thank the community for supporting this event.”

Schott noted this will be an annual event and he hopes that it continues to grow.

MARTHA GEHRINGER — FOR DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Dave and Eleanor Ritter place ornaments on the Bally borough Christmas tree. For additional photos please turn to Page A6.

MARTHA GEHRINGER — FOR DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA The Bally Boy Scouts lead the Bally Christmas parade on Dec. 3.

MARTHA GEHRINGER — FOR DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Zachary Paskel tells Santa what he wants for Christmas.

MARTHA GEHRINGER — FOR DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA The Most Blessed Sacrament choir sang Christmas carols during the Bally Christmas tree lighting.