SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA CO. (WOLF) — One of the most iconic spots in downtown Scranton is the Scranton Times building, and behind its massive, memorable masthead stands a feat of Truman-era engineering.
The WEJL radio Tower stands at 296 feet, and with the building and lightning rod included, it’s a whopping 385 feet, the tallest structure in central Scranton. It’s used as a radio transmitter every day, but during the holidays, it could be confused for a giant Christmas tree.
“We’ve been doing this since 1960,” Kevin Fitzgerald, the chief technical officer for Rock 107 and Shamrock Media. “The tower was built in 1948 and 49. It was officially it officially went on the air in April of 49. So, and then somebody had the great idea to put the Christmas lights on in 1960.”
And they’ve been doing it in mid-November for the last 65 years and have no plans on stopping. Each of the nearly 480 bulbs needs to be turned on the old-fashioned way, by strapping up and climbing the tower. Hanging hundreds of feet in the air like a Pennsylvanian King Kong – the workers go foot by foot, bar by bar, and bulb by bulb, until each one, even the ones at the very top, is lit.
And it’s not an easy feat. The team of four has to deal with the tower being electrified, bags of equipment and replacements, and the knowledge that one wrong move is the difference between life and death.
“It’s very analog,” Fitzgerald continued. “It’s, you know, takes quite a lot of time, but, you know, it’s all worth it, it’s a big deal for the holiday season.”
A big deal indeed. Every year, the tower lighting ceremony is a massive event, bringing thousands of onlookers to engage with vendors, food trucks, and to watch the lighting and accompanying fireworks. For many Scrantonians, the holidays simply aren’t the holidays without it.
But for the crew, it’s just another job.
A job with the best view in town.
Tune in tonight at 10 p.m. to see the full story and video views from high atop the WEJL Tower.