Those eagerly awaiting the opening of Reading’s Christmas on the Mountain had to hold their holiday excitement a bit longer this year.
Opening night for the massive light display at Hillside Playground was postponed Friday after high winds damaged some of the decorations.
The attraction on North 14th Street, one of the largest free holiday light displays in the nation, opened on Saturday instead.
Tim Profit, president of the Savage Auto Group and longtime organizer of the event, said volunteers worked through Friday night into the wee hours of Saturday morning to get the park ready for the rescheduled opening.
Those who braved the cold and wind Friday only to be turned away were understanding, said Sgt. Major Laureano Perez, who oversees the Reading High School Marine Corps JROTC unit that has built and operated the display for the last decade.
A Reading tradition for 34 years, this year’s setup is bigger and better than ever, Perez said.
The corps transformed the park into a glowing winter wonderland filled with more than 5 million LED lights, inflatables, vintage decorations, modern scenes and costumed characters.
Perez said this season brings four or five new displays, including redesigned scenes from the popular family movies “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and “Frozen.”
“Every year we try to improve it a little bit more,” he said. “The kids set it all up, absolutely, start to finish. They run it, set it up, clean the park, operate it all the way to Dec. 23, and then help with the teardown.”
Preparations began Sept. 28 with a major park cleanup involving about 85 students, he said. Cadets began installing lights in mid-October and worked through the fall to prepare for the opening.
Despite the excitement surrounding what organizers believe could be the event’s biggest season yet, questions remain about the display’s future.
Profit announced this year that redevelopment of the Hillside Pool property could bring major changes to the display.
“Late this summer, we were informed by a city of Reading official that upcoming construction and renovations to the Hillside Pool would require us to revisit the size, scope and potentially the future of Christmas on the Mountain,” Profit wrote in a public statement.
Reading’s Christmas on the Mountain opened after high winds delayed the original planned opening Nov. 28. (MICHELLE LYNCH – READING EAGLE)
The city purchased the approximately 3-acre property in 2019 and plans to remove the long-closed pool and replace it with a modern splash pad, cabanas and other amenities. Construction on the $4 million mostly grant-funded project is expected to begin next year.
The refurbished park will include an outdoor ice skating rink, Adrian Jadic, city community development project manager, told City Council at a meeting Monday.
The city selected Hillside Park after residents objected to building an ice rink outside the Third and Spruce streets recreation center or in City Park.
Reading residents raise concerns over proposed ice rink in City Park
“We figured that this can be done with minimal extra cost,” he said, noting the electric service required to run the rink is already in place at the park. “Plus it will make use of this facility throughout the year.”
Profit said any major reduction in available space threatens the display’s ability to continue in its current form.
“A significant reduction in that footprint would make it extremely difficult to produce the experience our community has come to love,” he said.
Despite the uncertainty, organizers emphasized the broad support the event receives from Mayor Eddie Moran, City Council and numerous city departments, including police and fire.
Moran in a statement said the city is proud to partner in the attraction by providing space for the annual tradition and plans to continue that support.
“Christmas on the Mountain is a beloved Reading tradition, and we’re excited for another magical season,” the mayor said.
Significant federal grant funding will allow the city to make improvements to Hillside Park that will make Christmas on the Mountain even more enjoyable for visitors, neighbors and families for generations to come, he said.
“We look forward to working with the organizers to keep this cherished tradition bright for our entire community,” Moran said.
Perez said he is not involved in the city’s planning discussions but noted the JROTC program remains committed to supporting the effort in whatever form it may take.
“We adapt, we overcome, and we’ll continue the mission,” he said.
Organizers said the overwhelming community support reflects what Christmas on the Mountain means to the city.
“I don’t know what the future holds,” Perez said. “But I know we’ll be here to support it no matter what the outcome is.”
Christmas on the Mountain is made possible through donations from local businesses.
Principal supporters, Savage Auto Group and Axcess Industries, supply most of the funding and equipment needed to keep the tradition alive.
Additional major partners include: Savage 61 Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram; Savage Kia; Savage L&B Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram; Mimmo’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria; Mike’s Sandwich Shop; Hoober Produce; Forino Home Builder and Contractor; Salute Ristorante Italiano; Value Rental’s of Reading; S&S Mechanical Plumbing HVAC Electrical; Skyline Property Services; The Pour House American Grill; Smith Bukowski Law Firm; Pro Max Fence Systems; and the Jackson Democratic Club.
Christmas on the Mountain runs nightly through Dec. 23, except select Mondays.
Admission and parking are free.
For information, go to readingschristmasonthemountain.com.