Christmas in the Park began as a community gathering to celebrate the re-dedication of the Nativity Creche in the Square after it was nearly removed in a lawsuit with the ACLU. It has carried on ever since for 30 years, including in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The first community Christmas Tree was donated by George Biemesderfer, who was a park board member and owner of a local Christmas tree farm. The tree still stands today just behind the flagpole at the front of the park near the caboose.
“On Nov. 30, 1994, the Lititz Area Manger Preservation Society rededicated the nativity scene. The group, with the aid of students and other community members, refurbished the figures and reassembled the creche on the square.
Dooley recalled that it was a bitterly cold evening. The thousands who gathered — the crowd was estimated to be between 1,500 and 3,000 — dubbed themselves the “Frozen Chosen.”
“Some people brought space heaters,” Dooley said. Vendors supplied food and townspeople, she noted, plugged the parking meters for people who had come from out of town to participate.” – Lancaster Newspapers 12/18/14
