Tired of ads? Subscribers enjoy a distraction-free reading experience.
Click here to subscribe today or Login.

WILKES-BARRE — Despite the recent stretch of unseasonably warm weather, the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts transformed into a Winter Wonderland on Saturday.

The all-day event featured vendors from local business such as Knot Just Any Day, Hels’ Bells, Kerri’s Gift Kreations & Bowtique and more.

There was singing, craft making for children, raffles and the movies “Elf,” “Miracle on 34th Street” and “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.”

According to F.M. Kirby Center Director of Sales and Marketing Anne Rodella, the Winter Wonderland was a way for the center to promote Small Business Saturday and get locals into the Christmas spirit.

“The Winter Wonderland was an event we planned to have on Small Business Saturday and hybrid two different events,” she said. “We did a holiday edition of a film festival and then at the same time we wanted to run a holiday art market to really drive home that shop local, shop small feature, but also utilize our beautiful lobby.”

The lobby was the gathering spot for the vendors and vocalists from various local theaters who volunteered their time to sing Christmas carols.

One entertainer was Brendan Regan from Jermyn who played the songs “What Child is This?” and “We Need a Little Christmas” on his acoustic guitar.

He said he was approached by the organizers of the Winter Wonderland and that he was excited to be part of the inaugural event.

“It’s great to have people out,” he said. “I’m glad the Kirby Center is doing this, and it’s a great way to bring people out and help families celebrate the holidays.”

Should Winter Wonderland be back next year, Regan said, he would definitely participate in it again.

One of the important aspects of the event was getting local children involved with making ornaments for the Christmas tree on display in the lobby.

Prior to the tree’s lighting, children gathered at a table in front of it throughout the day and colored different paper decorations to hang from it.

On hand to assist the children was Therese Roughsedge of Pittston, who said getting the children involved with the event was something she enjoyed being a part of.

“It was just really nice to see their faces light up and be able to be part of something within the community such as decorating the tree,” said Roughsedge. “They were thrilled to just design decorations, spend time here and hang them up to make the tree look beautiful. This tree means so much to everyone because it’s a community joint effort, and it was cool to see the children be part of that.”

Roughsedge said roughly 150 decorations were made by about 80 children throughout the day.

With the success of the F.M. Kirby Center’s first Winter Wonderland, Rodella said she is hopeful they will do it again next year.

“I hope we do it again, and I learned as I went throughout the day,” she said. “I’m sure other people have learned and I’d have to say it was a pretty good success.”

People gather around to hear if their name is called during the raffle drawing at the F.M. Kirby Center’s Winter Wonderland on Saturday.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_TTL112915Wonderland32.jpg.optimal.jpgPeople gather around to hear if their name is called during the raffle drawing at the F.M. Kirby Center’s Winter Wonderland on Saturday. Sean McKeag | Times Leader

Kamea Paresa, 11, left, and Khloe Gunderman, 10, both of White Haven, color in paper ornaments to hang on the tree at the F.M. Kiryby Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday evening.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_TTL112915Wonderland12.jpg.optimal.jpgKamea Paresa, 11, left, and Khloe Gunderman, 10, both of White Haven, color in paper ornaments to hang on the tree at the F.M. Kiryby Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday evening. Sean McKeag | Times Leader

Anne Rodella, director of sales and marketing at the Kirby, helps Santa Claus read off names of the raffle winners at the F.M. Kirby Center on Saturday evening.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_TTL112915Wonderland22.jpg.optimal.jpgAnne Rodella, director of sales and marketing at the Kirby, helps Santa Claus read off names of the raffle winners at the F.M. Kirby Center on Saturday evening. Sean McKeag | Times Leader

Brendan Regan performs a song during the Winter Wonderland at the F.M. Kirby Center on Saturday.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_TTL112915Wonderland42.jpg.optimal.jpgBrendan Regan performs a song during the Winter Wonderland at the F.M. Kirby Center on Saturday. Sean McKeag | Times Leader

By Jimmy Fisher

[email protected]

Reach Jimmy Fisher at 570-704-3972 or on Twitter @SD_JimmyFisher

VideoID: yLh7E6OoNbY
VideoType: YOUTUBE
URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLh7E6OoNbY
Video Embed String: <iframe width=”560” height=”315” src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/yLh7E6OoNbY” frameborder=”0” allowfullscreen></iframe>
Video Caption: Winter Wonderland and Small Business Saturday at the F.M. Kirby Center for Performing Arts
Video Credit: Sean McKeag
Video Position:

(use the “for files…” link above to associate attached files with this source)