Nesquehoning is beginning to prepare for a new Christmas event that will include Christmas trees, fun for the family, a parade, appearance by Santa Claus and two very special guests — live reindeer.

On Wednesday, borough council approved the inaugural Christmas on the Hill event, which will take place from 5-7 p.m. on Dec. 1 at the John F. Cerchiaro Park in New Columbus.

Councilwoman Suzanne Smith, who is one of the main organizers for this event, explained that volunteers from New Columbus and Hauto fire companies are teaming up to organize a new community event in the borough.

Christmas on the Hill will include a firetruck parade, beginning at approximately 4:30 p.m. at the Nesquehoning Recreation Center, traveling down Catawissa Street to Mermon and up to New Columbus, where it will proceed across East Diaz, down Padua and end on East Columbus Avenue.

Santa will then hold a meet and greet with two live reindeer, and have several photo opportunities before he moves to lighting the Christmas tree display.

The display will include 25 trees decorated throughout the park. Each tree can be sponsored by a person or group for $50 and decorated in whatever theme they would like. Sponsored trees will be decorated the morning of the event.

Smith spoke about the reindeer, which add an extra touch for residents.

“Through a whole lot of Christmas magic, we have been able to secure two of Santa’s live reindeer to come to our Christmas event,” Smith said. “Which ones? He has not told me which ones yet.”

She added that the borough had to get approval from the Department of Agriculture for the area where the reindeer will be stationed and requested shutting down East Columbus Avenue from 3-8 p.m. on Dec. 1 for the event. It was approved.

“With this, it will give the kids the opportunities for a little bit of reindeer education,” Smith said, noting that children will be able to learn about reindeer, pet them and possibly feed them.

For anyone looking to sponsor a tree or for questions, contact Smith at 484-464-8062.

For anyone who would like to provide a monetary donation to offset the costs of the event, checks should be made payable to the New Columbus Fire Company, with a note Christmas on the Hill in the memo, and given to any fire company member or dropped off in the borough office.

“The primary goal of our events is to highlight what our town has to offer while bringing the community together,” Smith wrote in the community letter.

Council also approved a $500 donation from the community events bake sale profits to help offset the cost of the reindeer.

“Events like this are vital,” Councilwoman Lois Kuba said, pointing out that through four bake sales, the borough residents have raised over $6,000 toward various projects, either for the Go Joe fundraiser, Hometown Hero banners, and now the reindeer for Christmas.

In preparation for the event, New Columbus Fire Company is also holding a soup sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 3 in the fire company hall. Soups will be available in pints and quarts as cash and carry items.

In other community event matters, council said that the Trunk or Treat event, hosted at the Nesquehoning Hose Company last Saturday, was well attended and the kids loved it.

Kuba also announced that the biannual boot drive for the three fire companies was well received again, netting $1,833.33 for each fire department. These drives are held in the spring and fall.