Bethesda Mission invites and welcomes the greater Harrisburg community to a festival celebrating the spirit of the Christmas season. The third annual event, A Tremendous Christmas at Italian Lake, will be held on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019 from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019 from 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. at Italian Lake at 3rd and Division Streets in Harrisburg. All proceeds benefit Bethesda Mission with the goal of helping the nonprofit meet the needs of the homeless population in Harrisburg.
The third year of this festival features a 45-foot Christmas tree and tree lighting ceremony at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Santa’s Grotto and pictures, horse-drawn carriage rides, an elves’ workshop, local choirs, a petting zoo, hot food vendors, and a holiday market featuring local artisans.
“We are really excited to partner with Tremendous Leadership again to bring this event to Harrisburg,” said Cindy Mallow, Bethesda Mission’s director of development. “It expresses everything that Bethesda truly stands for: family, relationships, bringing our community together, and of course, celebrating and sharing the true meaning of Christmas. What a better time and place to both give hope to those who need our help, while enjoying the holiday together with our own friends and families.”
A Tremendous Christmas at Italian Lake was first inspired by historical photos of the community celebrating holidays at Italian Lake. Organizers hope to bring the spirit of the season to life again in both the nostalgia and true meaning of Christmas.
“This event has struck a nostalgic nerve of a bygone era when Italian Lake was a beautiful gathering place in the outskirts of the ‘Burg's’ city life,” said Scott Dunwoody, Bethesda Mission’s executive director. “What an opportunity for renewal of this still beautiful environment, creating new wonderful memories for the entire community to enjoy.”
For more information, please visit ChristmasItalianLake.com.
