PAVING A PATH TO JOY

Annual event: Variety - the Children’s Charity opens Holiday Lane

WORCESTER >> Variety — the Children’s Charity of the Delaware Valley will once again be spreading joy this holiday season through Variety’s Holiday Lane. From Nov. 30 — Dec. 3, Variety will transform its 77-acre campus into a magnificent, winter wonderland.

This exciting event includes themed decorated cabins, a holiday craft bazaar, live entertainment, strolling characters, complimentary hot cocoa, various children’s activities, a warm bonfire, dozens of raffles, and special guests including Santa. New additions this year include story time with Methacton Community Theater and hot food and refreshments available for purchase.

Visitors can walk or drive along a festive Holiday Lane in which the exterior of the organization’s rustic cabins will be

lit up with holiday lights and decorated in holiday themes by Variety local community groups who will compete for the votes of the public who attend the event. Groups include Merck, Syngenius Inc., Old York Road Garden Club, and the Philadelphia Eagles, plus other amazing community partners. It is these types of collaborations that continue to fuel Variety’s longterm sustainability.

“It is so wonderful to be able to open our campus to the public and spread joy during the holiday season,” said Dominique Bernardo, CEO of Variety — the Children’s Charity of the Delaware Valley. “Holiday Lane supports all of our programming from Summer Day Camp and Saturday Respite Camps to our innovative workforce development program, VarietyWorks.”

Upon arriving at Holiday Lane, visitors can warm up with a complimentary hot cocoa as they pass Variety’s decorated 1700s Farmhouse. Families can enjoy the festive displays of an Old Fashion Christmas, The Nutcracker, Frozen and many more as well as costumed actors from Methacton Community Theater. Live holiday entertainment, including Irish dancers from Dancing on Eire School of Irish Dance, the Norristown High School Choir, saxophonist Clay Jackson, and the North Pennsmen Barbershop Chorus and Liberty Belles, and other local groups, can be enjoyed at the outdoor amphitheater and throughout the campus throughout the event.

On Thursday, Dec. 1, the

Philadelphia Phanatic is scheduled to make a special appearance between 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Baked goods and handcrafted items made by Variety kids and VarietyWorks participants will be available for purchase at the Holiday Bazaar. There will also be a children’s activity area with activities and games geared for all ability levels. Finally, children of all ages can visit with Santa Claus and guests can take a chance at winning exciting prizes in the holiday basket raffle.

The event is a wonderful, family-friendly opportunity to visit Variety’s campus and enjoy the sights and sounds of the season while supporting a local organization who provided vocational, social and educational programs for individuals with disabilities in Philadelphia and the surrounding counties.

Dates and times:

Wednesday, Nov. 30 Driving Tour ONLY — no activities besides themed cabins and hot cocoa

5 pm — 7 pm

$10 car and $20 van Thursday, Dec. 1, and

Friday, Dec. 2

Walking Tours

4 pm — 8 pm

$10 adults and $5 children

Saturday, Dec. 3 Walking Tours 4 pm — 9 pm

$10 adults and $5 children

Tickets can be purchased at varietyphila. org/holiday-lane-tickets.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Variety — the Children’s Charity of the Delaware Valley will host its annual Holiday Lane from Nov. 30 to Dec. 3.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Variety transforms its 77-acre campus into a magnificent, winter wonderland.