Christmas in July Returns to People’s Choice Festival

This story originally appeared in The Centre County Gazette’s People’s Choice Festival Guide.

BOALSBURG — There is something delightfully magical about seeing snow fall in July.

Last year, organizers of the People’s Choice Festival decided to bring a little Christmas magic to the middle of summer and the response was so overwhelming that Christmas in July is returning as the festival comes back home to Boalsburg July 9-12.

For many visitors, it became one of the most memorable parts of the festival. Children ran through falling snow, families posed with Santa Claus and smiles seemed to appear as quickly as the snowflakes.

“It’s really backed by popular demand,” said Diana Stapleford, vice president of corporate operations for the People’s Choice Festival. “People just really loved it. The kids underneath the snow and Santa. It was just something different that we decided to do last year and it was so successful that we decided to bring it back.”

This year’s Christmas in July celebration will once again feature a dedicated Christmas tent complete with holiday décor, a large Santa staging area, giveaways, a coloring contest and plenty of opportunities for families to soak in the holiday spirit months before December arrives.

Santa Claus is expected to return on Saturday, July 11, and organizers are hoping another familiar face may make an appearance as well.

“Hopefully we’ll get an appearance again from Buddy the Elf,” Stapleford said. “Santa will be there definitely and we’ll see if Buddy shows up.”

One of the biggest changes this year involves the snow itself.

Last year, organizers periodically turned the snow machines on and off throughout the event. This year, festival supporters have helped make nearly continuous snowfall possible inside the attraction.

“We’ve arranged, thanks to WYS Design, who is supporting the event, and they are making sure that we have plenty of snow this year,” Stapleford said. “So that should be so much fun.”

For Stapleford, the magic of the event comes from watching children experience something completely unexpected. She recalled seeing children race through the snow while their faces lit up at the sight of Santa arriving on a fire truck.

“It’ll be snowing in Boalsburg in July and last year, just the kids, the smiles on their faces and they’re running through the snow,” Stapleford said. “Their faces lit up when Santa came in on the fire truck.”

Christmas in July is just one part of a festival that is celebrating a highly anticipated return to Boalsburg after several years away. Stapleford said community support has been tremendous as the event returns to the village many associate with its roots.

And while the festival is known for its art and entertainment, Christmas in July may once again provide some of the most memorable moments.

After all, there are not many places where families can shop for artwork, enjoy festival food and then watch snow fall in the middle of a Pennsylvania summer.

For a few days in July, Christmas comes early in Boalsburg. And if last year was any indication, plenty of people will be ready to celebrate it all over again.