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Bethlehem as “Christmas City USA”

In 1937, The Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce started a nationwide letter writing effort to 2,500 Chambers of Commerce asking each of them to notify their local newspapers of the campaign to make Bethlehem, Pennsylvania “the Christmas City”. It was suggested that people throughout the country send their Christmas cards to Bethlehem to receive the “Christmas City” cancellation. Most of the Chambers participated and more than 185,000 pieces of mail inundated the Bethlehem Post Office.

In the 1960’s the Citizens Christmas City Committee (of the Chamber of Commerce) was formed to help dignify the look of Christmas in the City of Bethlehem while at the same time absorbing a share of the costs of bringing Christmas to the public. The Committee continues to raise the funds every year to purchase over 800 trees that are lit during the Christmas season. 

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Douglas Benedict Photography, LLC

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Citizens Christmas City Committee Events:

(VIRTUAL) Bethlehem’s Community Tree Lighting Ceremony
Friday, November 27, 2020
 
Stayed tuned for details on the 2020 Virtual Tree Lighting Ceremony!

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