It may still be summer, but in central Pennsylvania on Thursday, it began to feel a lot like Christmas.
Santas, Mrs. Clauses and elves from seven states explored the National Christmas Center, formerly in Paradise and now in Middletown, while in the area for the Santa Gathering. The center reopened in 2021 under the ownership of Stone Gables Estate in Elizabethtown.
The Christmas performers explored the displays inside the expansive center, and later boarded a Stone Gables train for a ride.
The annual Santa Gathering event provides educational opportunities and community for entertainers who provide holiday cheer. The DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Hotel Lancaster on Willow Street Pike served as the event’s home base, where there were workshops on everything from makeup application to staying healthy while on the job. The gathering began Wednesday and continues through Saturday, with performers departing Sunday morning.
About 160 participants were expected at this year’s event, according to “Santa” Paul Stober, an organizer with the group.
“Our goal is to get everyone ready for the season,” Stober said.
Santas board the train at Stone Gables Estate in West Donegal Township Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022.
Santas
Sheri, left, and Steve Flynn, of Rochester, N.Y., tour National Christmas Center 3050 E. Harrisburg Pike in Londonderry Township Dauphin County Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022.
Santas
Paul Davis, of Mechanicsville, Va., tours National Christmas Center 3050 E. Harrisburg Pike in Londonderry Township Dauphin County Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022.
Santas
Michael, left, and Nina Britt, of Chesapeake, Va., tour National Christmas Center 3050 E. Harrisburg Pike in Londonderry Township Dauphin County Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022.
Santas
Matthew Hopkins, of Johnston, R.I., tours the National Christmas Center 3050 E. Harrisburg Pike in Londonderry Township Dauphin County Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022.
Santas
Bernard Gasiorowski, of King of Prussia, photographs a display inside the National Christmas Center 3050 E. Harrisburg Pike in Londonderry Township Dauphin County Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022.
Santas
Santas enter National Christmas Center 3050 E. Harrisburg Pike in Londonderry Township Dauphin County Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022.
Santas
Bill Neely, of Lancaster, was on hand with Santas that toured National Christmas Center 3050 E. Harrisburg Pike in Londonderry Township Dauphin County Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022.
Santas
Santas enter National Christmas Center 3050 E. Harrisburg Pike in Londonderry Township Dauphin County Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022.
Santas
Santas wait for the train at Stone Gables Estate in West Donegal Township Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022.
Santas
Santas wait for the train at Stone Gables Estate in West Donegal Township Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022.
Santas
Santas wait for the train at Stone Gables Estate in West Donegal Township Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022.
Santas
Bill Neely, of Lancaster, left, takes a selfie with Dennis Daniels, of Cliffwood, N.J., as they wait for the train at Stone Gables Estate in West Donegal Township Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022.
Santas
Dennis Daniels, of Cliffwood, N.J., walks in the isle of the train at Stone Gables Estate in West Donegal Township Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022.
Santas
George McCleary, of Thomaston, Ct., looks at the Titanic display inside National Christmas Center 3050 E. Harrisburg Pike in Londonderry Township Dauphin County Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022.
Santas
Santas watch and take pictures as the train pulls in at Stone Gables Estate in West Donegal Township Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022.
Santas
David Hineline, of Saylorsburg, Pa., sits in the train with other Santa and Mrs. Clauses, at Stone Gables Estate in West Donegal Township Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022.
Santas
Dale Novak, of Hammond, In., looks out the window of the train at Stone Gables Estate in West Donegal Township Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022.
Santas
Santas board the train at Stone Gables Estate in West Donegal Township Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022.
Santas
Santas board the train at Stone Gables Estate in West Donegal Township Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022.
Santas
Sheri, left, and Steve Flynn, of Rochester, N.Y., tour National Christmas Center 3050 E. Harrisburg Pike in Londonderry Township Dauphin County Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022.
Santas
Paul Davis, of Mechanicsville, Va., tours National Christmas Center 3050 E. Harrisburg Pike in Londonderry Township Dauphin County Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022.
Santas
Michael, left, and Nina Britt, of Chesapeake, Va., tour National Christmas Center 3050 E. Harrisburg Pike in Londonderry Township Dauphin County Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022.
Santas
Matthew Hopkins, of Johnston, R.I., tours the National Christmas Center 3050 E. Harrisburg Pike in Londonderry Township Dauphin County Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022.
Santas
Bernard Gasiorowski, of King of Prussia, photographs a display inside the National Christmas Center 3050 E. Harrisburg Pike in Londonderry Township Dauphin County Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022.
Santas
Santas enter National Christmas Center 3050 E. Harrisburg Pike in Londonderry Township Dauphin County Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022.
Santas
Bill Neely, of Lancaster, was on hand with Santas that toured National Christmas Center 3050 E. Harrisburg Pike in Londonderry Township Dauphin County Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022.
Santas
Santas enter National Christmas Center 3050 E. Harrisburg Pike in Londonderry Township Dauphin County Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022.
Santas
Santas wait for the train at Stone Gables Estate in West Donegal Township Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022.
Santas
Santas wait for the train at Stone Gables Estate in West Donegal Township Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022.
Santas
Santas wait for the train at Stone Gables Estate in West Donegal Township Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022.
Santas
Bill Neely, of Lancaster, left, takes a selfie with Dennis Daniels, of Cliffwood, N.J., as they wait for the train at Stone Gables Estate in West Donegal Township Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022.
Santas
Dennis Daniels, of Cliffwood, N.J., walks in the isle of the train at Stone Gables Estate in West Donegal Township Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022.
Santas
George McCleary, of Thomaston, Ct., looks at the Titanic display inside National Christmas Center 3050 E. Harrisburg Pike in Londonderry Township Dauphin County Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022.
Santas
Santas watch and take pictures as the train pulls in at Stone Gables Estate in West Donegal Township Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022.
Santas
David Hineline, of Saylorsburg, Pa., sits in the train with other Santa and Mrs. Clauses, at Stone Gables Estate in West Donegal Township Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022.
Santas
Dale Novak, of Hammond, In., looks out the window of the train at Stone Gables Estate in West Donegal Township Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022.
Santas
Santas board the train at Stone Gables Estate in West Donegal Township Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022.
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