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Community Corner

Peace Candle Lights Centre Square for 60th Year

Crowd gathers in downtown Easton Friday night for the annual Peace Candle lighting.

A crowd converged on Centre Square Friday evening for the annual lighting of Easton's Peace Candle, a city tradition that turned 60 this year.

The crowd sang “Happy Birthday” and cheers erupted as 7-year-old “Imperial Illuminator” Mary Elizabeth Soffera of Williams Township pulled the switch, lighting the largest non-wax candle in North America for the season.

Mary Elizabeth, a young fan of the iconic holiday monument, has raised funds for the event independently over the last couple of years. She was granted the title by Ed Dietrich, on Wednesday, Nov. 23 for $400.

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Proceeds from the auction go to directly support the event, which also included music by the Brass Ensemble, the Easton Municipal Band and the Uptown String Band, along with carriage rides, street performers, kids' crafts and other seasonal festivities.

Members of the Easton Police Department and city public works employees also lent a hand with the evening. Children got a chance to check out a police motorcycle and heavy construction equipment up close. EPD officers also served free cotton candy and popcorn to the crowd.

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Additionally, shops and galleries stayed open late for the Black Friday event, marking the beginning of extended holiday hours for a number of local businesses.

The Peace Candle, as is traditional, will remain in Centre Square until early in the new year.

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