SCRANTON — The crowd roared as young Bryon III and Adam Dickson, along with their mother, Tiffany, threw the switch lighting the Scranton Times Building tower, a long-held tradition in Scranton.
The family of fallen Pennsylvania State Police Cpl. Bryon Dickson were the guests of honor Wednesday at the annual event hosted by The Times-Tribune.
As excitement grew before the tower lighting, snow fell steadily on the corner of Spruce Street and Penn Avenue where families warmed up with free hot chocolate from Metro PCS. Other tried popcorn from Doc Popcorn and street-truck fare from What the Fork and the BiteMobile food trucks.
From the grandstand, Bing Crosby crooned over the sound system with his rendition of “Holly Jolly Christmas” as families filtered in and out of the Times building where classic Christmas movies like “Frosty the Snowman” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” played in the old radio theater.
Hayley Vasek, 11, of Dallas walked out of the radio theater with her family all bundled and ready to head outdoors.
“Just being with my family and enjoying the sights,” Hayley said is what getting up to Scranton for the Tower lighting is all about.
Outside under the tent, Tiana Muskey of Moosic waited with her three kids, Tyler, Mia and Mitchell, for the entertainment to start.
Admittedly, Mrs. Muskey said she hasn’t started her Christmas shopping yet or put much thought toward the Christmas spirit, but getting outdoors with her children is certainly a good place to start.
“I guess the music and the atmosphere, the lights ... it really helps give you that push to feel the Christmas spirit,” Mrs. Muskey said.
Contact the writer:
joconnell@timesshamrock.com, @jon_oc on Twitte