In a scene which one resident described looked like it was “out of a Hallmark movie,” Lehighton borough ushered in the holiday season with the lighting of 115 5-foot Christmas trees and a main, 14-foot Christmas tree in its upper and lower parks Sunday night.

The event grew by leaps and bounds in just its second year with hundreds of visitors walking through the park to get the first glimpse of the trees, which families, groups or businesses could sponsor and decorate.

“Last year, in our inaugural year, we had 73 trees,” said Autumn Abelovsky, secretary of the Lehighton Borough Parks and Recreation Board. “We had such an outpouring a response that we originally increased the amount of trees to 100.”

There was one problem with that. It wasn’t enough.

When the 100th tree was sponsored, there were still seven applications in the board’s mailbox.

“We just didn’t want to turn anyone away so we increased it again to 115 trees, which is what you see here in the park tonight,” Abelovsky said.

Many families brought some of Lehighton’s youngest residents to see the themes and decorations of the different trees and have a chance to get a picture with Santa Claus.

“It’s just a wonderful scene to see this many people out at a community event,” said Jane Green of Lehighton. “I was here last year and there is no way there was this many people here. You can see just in one year what this has done for Lehighton.”

Crystal Spring Tree Farm donated all of the trees for the event and with the help of it and other sponsors, the recreation board purchased new electrical cording to help things run smoother.

In addition to Crystal Spring, Next Era Energy and Lehighton Orioles Nest 183 were full sponsors, while PDC Spa & Pool World, Service Construction Company and Jim Thorpe Neighborhood Bank were half-sponsors.

Residents and the Pale Moon Players Carolers bookended the tree lighting with renditions of Silent Night and We Wish You A merry Christmas.

“In the past few years Lehighton has seen such an upswing in community spirit,” Abelovsky said. “The combination of that and the holidays brings this event to fruition. Everyone is like a neighbor tonight. They’re all enjoying themselves and that just means so much to this town. The number of trees is enormous, but the number of people here in this park, I have never seen that in the center of this town. It’s awe inspiring.”

The trees will be illuminated day and night throughout December for everyone to stroll through the parks and view.

All tree decorations must be removed between Jan. 3-5, 2018. Any decorations that are not collected will be discarded by the borough at the time of tree removal by noon Jan. 5.

The parks and recreation board is joining several other organizations in “Caroling Around Lehighton” on Dec. 17 from 6-8 p.m. If you would like a group of carolers to stop by your home and you live in the borough, turn on your front porch light.

Christmas With Santa will take place Dec. 15 at 6:30 p.m. at the Lehighton Borough Annex building. The event will feature classic Christmas movies, refreshments and gifts from Santa. It is free to all families of Lehighton Area School District.