Merrymakers from across the area watched a historic radio tower in downtown Scranton light up for the 64th year on Wednesday. The WEJL Radio tower, atop the Scranton Times Building at 149 Penn Ave., serves as the Christmas season centerpiece of the city and the kickoff for holiday cheer across Northeast Pennsylvania. Since 1960, the only time the tower wasn’t lit was in 1973, due to a Nixon administration call for the country to conserve energy. At exactly 6 p. m., strings of colorful lights lit the 301-foot tower frame, drawing collective applause from those attending and from those viewing the spectacle from watch parties across the city. As the event drew to a close, the sky lit up with a colorful fireworks display, marking the start to the holiday season. Earlier in the day, a free-to-attend street fair took place five stories below, presented by Times-Shamrock Radio and Times-Shamrock LP, the owners of the building and the rooftop tower, in conjunction with their radio station, WEZX Rock 107 FM, which was charged with planning the festivities for the third time since the sale of The Times-Tribune in 2023. The block party encompassed the 100 and 200 blocks of Penn Avenue, with about 40 vendors on hand to help residents open the season with a variety of food, activities and information on resources. Celebrating with family For Sherita Zatro, of Olyphant, the event has become tradition and serves to kick off the holiday season. Her three children, one by one, made their way to Santa Claus’ lap to present their Christmas lists and assure him they had been good. Zatro met up with her sister’s family at the event, something they do every year. “We like everything about it food trucks, the lights, Santa,” she said. WEJL Radio Senior Vice President Terry Deitz said the event centered on the community and on families. Many, he said, came out for the street festival, stayed for the tower lighting and fireworks, headed out to dinner and then headed home for family time before Thanksgiving Day. “This brings whole families together and extended families,” he said. Since the event began in the ’60s, it has grown, but in many ways stayed the same, he said. The lights on the tower, he said, are a beacon of Christmas for members of the community throughout the season. He expected 4, 000 to 5, 000 people to make their way through the street festival and attend the tower lighting. Spirit of celebration Ruth Casey of Just Plain Crazy face painting has been attending the event as a vendor for several years. Casey attends dozens of events all over Northeast Pennsylvania but said this one is somewhat unique. Not only is there music, food and activities, but also a tower lighting and fireworks in November, she said. Casey, who includes Christmas themes in her repertoire of face art, said attendance at the event has become a tradition. Some years, she has finished up at the street festival to race home to continue preparation for Thanksgiving. She never minded; it’s a special day, she said. Farah Bzdick, 4, enjoyed Casey’s talent in transforming her face into that of a princess, perfectly matching the hues of her shirt in shades of pink, purple and gold. Lynn Gavin, of Dunmore, her godmother, said it was the family’s first time attending the event. With the temperature nearing 60 degrees, she thought it was a great chance to head over to spend a few hours. Seasonal kickoff Vendor Stephanie Schrum has been participating in the event for three years. Schrum, who travels to Scranton from York, said she loves everything about the festival from the crowds, to the noise, to the lighting of the tower. “It’s lots of music and good energy,” she said. Louis Sapolis was ordering a BurriChanga half burrito, half chimichanga from 2 Wayz One Passion food truck before manning his own concession stand. Sapolis pointed out that vendors enjoyed not just a successful day of selling their own products, but also the offerings of other vendors. It was a long day, but a good one, he said. “It’s great,” he said. “And before you know it, it’s over.”.
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/2025/11/26/holiday-spirit-shining-brightly-in-scranton/