This story originally appeared in The Centre County Gazette.
PHILIPSBURG — If you ever needed proof that a small town can reinvent itself, you’ll find it on Front Street on Saturday, Dec. 13, when Philipsburg comes alive with its second annual Mid Century Christmas celebration. What started last year as a bit of nostalgia paired with a creative spark has quickly evolved into a full-scale community event that blends history, imagination and hometown pride.
“We weren’t aware of anybody else who had a mid-century Christmas,” said Philipsburg Revitalization Corporation President Eric Rusnak. “Bellefonte has a Victorian Christmas, and we thought mid-century would be something unique. But also people here have a lot of fond memories of Philipsburg in the mid century… that’s when Philipsburg was really a bustling town.”
That sense of memory is exactly what Rusnak and fellow volunteers hope to tap into. The event showcases the town’s past while shining a light on the energy behind Philipsburg’s ongoing revitalization efforts such as new businesses, restored historic buildings and fresh investment in the community.
Rusnak noted that many residents aren’t necessarily resistant to change, but rather can’t picture what change looks like. He said events like the Mid Century Christmas help people “see it,” bringing them downtown and reminding them that Front Street is full of life, businesses and possibilities. “We’re trying to show the story of Philipsburg to stakeholders, get people invested into the town,” he said.
The Mid Century Christmas celebration will run throughout the day, with shops opening around 10 a.m. Local youth bands will perform on Front Street. Santa will make his entrance at 12:30 p.m., parading down the street before greeting children until about 2:30 p.m. Rusnak encouraged families and visitors to follow event updates through the Philipsburg Mid Century Christmas Facebook page or the We Love Philipsburg page.
The Rowland Theatre will host a family movie at 3 p.m., followed by a new addition to the festivities: a non-motorized parade up Front Street to the tree-lighting ceremony. “You can have no motorized float,” Rusnak said. “It forces everyone to be a little creative… I’m very curious to see what our participation will be like, but I think it’ll be something unique.”
Local businesses are central to the celebration. Restaurants and shops plan to decorate their windows with mid-century themes and hold small in-store events throughout the day. Last year’s window displays included everything from classic movie characters to a creative take on “A Christmas Story” in a renovation project window.
The historic Simler House, one of Philipsburg’s oldest surviving structures, will also be open. Built in 1810, the house will be warmed by a roaring fireplace, and hot wassail will be served, making it a cozy stop for visitors. “It’s a really cool thing to experience,” Rusnak said. Costumes are encouraged to celebrate the event.
One of the enduring symbols of Philipsburg’s holiday season — the 37 and a half-foot-tall giant Santa built by artist Bill Adams in 1963 — has been restored after storm damage last year. The project has become its own community story, involving donated space, volunteer time and a tourism grant from the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau. Local tattoo artist Tyler Walstrom is leading the restoration, ensuring Santa is repainted exactly as Adams originally designed him.
“He’s a staple of Philipsburg,” Rusnak said. “He’s been moved around town, but he’s part of our history.”
Rusnak joked that even Santa’s coal ties have their own symbolism. “I always say that our coal’s so delicious that you’ll ask Santa for some in your stocking,” he said. It’s a nod to both the mid-century theme and the deep roots mining still has in the community.
The evening will close with a bash at Dead Canary, featuring live music and holiday cheer. Rusnak is still working to confirm whether Santa will once again arrive via helicopter, a moment that created a buzz last year. “We always say Christmas in Philipsburg is epic,” he said.
What stands out in every piece of the event is community effort. Volunteers, businesses, civic organizations and residents are all working together to make something memorable. The goal is simple: bring people downtown, celebrate the town’s heritage and show that Philipsburg’s future is as bright as its past.
“If you haven’t been to Philipsburg in a while or even ever,” Rusnak said, “come on December 13th. I think you’re going to really enjoy what you see.”
See the full schedule at welovephilipsburg.org/mid-century-christmas.
