ASHLAND - It was a beautiful Saturday evening in downtown Ashland as people visited to get more into the holiday spirit during the ninth annual Old-Fashioned Christmas.
The Ashland Downtown Inc.-sponsored event was centered around the Ashland mini-park at Centre and Fifth streets, but downtown businesses were open to allow shoppers to pick up some last-minute Christmas gifts that was reminiscent of years past when the downtowns were the hubs of holiday shopping.
Old-Fashioned Christmas was held from 5 to 8 p.m., and despite a light turnout at the beginning, many people showed up toward the end of the first hour to make the event another success.
"You never know who is going to come," Ashland Main Street Manager Gregory Fisher said. "People are showing up, and I've had people asking and are excited about the Reading Pretzel City Chorus."
As people milled about, recorded holiday music was provided by Marc Burlile, a member of American Legion Post 434, located next to the mini-park. The Legion opened its doors for the evening to assist ADI during the evening. Santa Claus greeted children throughout the evening.
Old-Fashioned Christmas was preceded this year with activities throughout the week, including an ice sculpting contest, Christmas movie night, a performance of the New Found Sound barbershop quartet, a display of gingerbread houses made by North Schuylkill Elementary School children and a candlelight vigil service on Friday evening.
Free horse and wagon rides were available throughout the evening, provided by Running Springs Farm of Spring Glen. The rides were sponsored by Susquehanna Bank and the Schuylkill Area Community Foundation.
At 6 p.m., 12 members of the Reading Pretzel City Chorus, also sponsored by the Schuylkill Area Community Foundation, performed for the first time in Ashland. This group, whose membership is about 40, is an a cappella chorus in Berks County and a member of the Barbershop Harmony Society. They were chartered in 1948 and perform for community programs, at nursing home, churches and other venues. The group practices in Shillington.
The chorus sang holiday classics in barbershop harmony under the direction of Gary Mishler.
"I've only been through Ashland a few times but I think this is really great the way you folks have everything decorated and lit up," Mishler said to the crowd. "It's wonderful to have this - just an old-fashioned Christmas, as you like to say, and it's really neat to see that happen. It's a great community you have here in Ashland."
ADI volunteers served free hot chocolate, cookies and popcorn, and the second in a series of Ashland Christmas ornaments was on sale, while members of the First United Methodist-Presbyterian Church in Ashland conducted a living Nativity.
About two blocks away, the Ashland Area Historic Preservation Society opened its holiday-decorated headquarters. James Klock and Mary Goss Header welcomed the visitors, sold chances and natural bayberry candles. In the parlor, a large Christmas tree was located, and for a time, Sally Slotterback, Lavelle, played traditional carols and modern popular songs on the Lester Piano Company upright grand piano.
Though not an historical society member, Slotterback first played for the Christmas open house three years ago.
"I came in and just sat down at the piano and played some Christmas songs," Slotterback said. "Last year they asked me to do it again, and this year I brought my song book. I just informally show up and play. We just need some music and cheer to liven it up."
Slotterback began playing to two people in the room, but after a time, more people wandered in, including children, who began to sing as she played.