McKee Playground To Hold Community Tree Lighting Event

With the holiday season here, tree lighting events and Christmas parties will be held throughout the Cove region.

On Friday, Nov. 4, the McKee Playground will be hosting a community tree lighting ceremony at the McKee Community Center at 6:30 p.m. Following the tree lighting, guests will be treated to refreshments and Christmas carol singing.

Jodie Dellinger, whose family has been a driving force in the success of McKee Playground for more than half a century, said this is the first year they have held a tree lighting event and is excited to add it to the playground’s other annual holiday event, the 50-years and running Christmas party that will be held in early December.

“We want to bring the community together and unite us in the Christmas spirit,” Dellinger said.

The tree, which will be located in the sandbox in the middle of the playground, was donated by Tom and Julie Dick of East Freedom.

“We are so appreciative of the Dick’s for donating this wonderful tree,” Delinger said. “It is going to look so beautiful lit up.”

Dellinger said the McKee playground has played an important part in the lives of her and her sisters, Jeverlie Wyland and Julie Dick, and the three sisters worked together to organize the tree lighting event.

“Our mom coordinated the Christmas party for at least 30 years,” Delinger said. “We grew up here and have many wonderful memories. We want others to have special memories of the playground and events like the Christmas party, and now the tree lighting are things people will look back on fondly.”