Carolers light up McMichael Park with candles and song for 27th year

December 14, 2012
  • <p><p>Drummers Anthony Dandridge, 17, Strawberry Mansion H.S., Shemar Bates, 11, and Tyreses Wilks, 12, Duckrey Elementary, put a beat behind the crowds chanting. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)</p></p>

    <p>Drummers Anthony Dandridge, 17, Strawberry Mansion H.S., Shemar Bates, 11, and Tyreses Wilks, 12, Duckrey Elementary, put a beat behind the crowds chanting. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)</p>

  • <p><p>Rich Costanzo, Floyd Steadly, Jesse Seitel and Joe Pags attended the rally to represent Local Unions 634, 54, and 274. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)</p></p>

    <p>Rich Costanzo, Floyd Steadly, Jesse Seitel and Joe Pags attended the rally to represent Local Unions 634, 54, and 274. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)</p>

  • <p><p>Cathy Roccia-Meier, parent of a special needs child and and an advocate, for special education begged parents to get involved with the fight to keep neighborhood schools open. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)</p></p>

    <p>Cathy Roccia-Meier, parent of a special needs child and and an advocate, for special education begged parents to get involved with the fight to keep neighborhood schools open. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)</p>

  • <p><p>Retired public school teacher Ron Whitehorn said that the district must put people before profits. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)</p></p>

    <p>Retired public school teacher Ron Whitehorn said that the district must put people before profits. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)</p>

  • <p><p>Community members were invited to the podium to share their concerns about the future of Philadelphia public schools at a rally on the steps of the school district building Thursday. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)</p></p>

    <p>Community members were invited to the podium to share their concerns about the future of Philadelphia public schools at a rally on the steps of the school district building Thursday. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)</p>

  • <p><p>Basil Hasan, 16, attends Sayre H.S. He worries about classroom overcrowding, wants a library and hopes to one day become a veterinarian. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)</p></p>

    <p>Basil Hasan, 16, attends Sayre H.S. He worries about classroom overcrowding, wants a library and hopes to one day become a veterinarian. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)</p>

  • <p><p>Kia Hinton spoke of her fears for the education of her son Muhammad Nesbitt, 7. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)</p></p>

    <p>Kia Hinton spoke of her fears for the education of her son Muhammad Nesbitt, 7. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)</p>

  • <p><p>AMY Northwest teacher Theresa Lewis-King chanted "shame on you" with the crowd. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)</p></p>

    <p>AMY Northwest teacher Theresa Lewis-King chanted "shame on you" with the crowd. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)</p>

  • <p><p>Saeda Washington roused the crowd by chanting, "The students united will never be defeated." Washington is part of Youth United for Change. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)</p></p>

    <p>Saeda Washington roused the crowd by chanting, "The students united will never be defeated." Washington is part of Youth United for Change. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)</p>

  • <p><p>Hundreds opposed to the closing of Philadelphia neighborhood public schools attended a rally Thursday afternoon on the steps of the school district building on Broad Street. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)</p></p>

    <p>Hundreds opposed to the closing of Philadelphia neighborhood public schools attended a rally Thursday afternoon on the steps of the school district building on Broad Street. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)</p>

  • <p><p>The Philadelphia Coalition Advocating for Public Schools organized a rally in reaction to an announcement to close 37 school buildings Thursday. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)</p></p>

    <p>The Philadelphia Coalition Advocating for Public Schools organized a rally in reaction to an announcement to close 37 school buildings Thursday. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)</p>

  • <p><p>Superintendent William R. Hite speaks at a press conference following the recommendation of 37 public school building closures in Philadelphia. (Kimberly Paynter/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>Superintendent William R. Hite speaks at a press conference following the recommendation of 37 public school building closures in Philadelphia. (Kimberly Paynter/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>The evening continued at the East Falls Presbyterian Church for hot cider and cookies. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>The evening continued at the East Falls Presbyterian Church for hot cider and cookies. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>Everyone joined in for a rendition of "We Wish You A Merry Christmas". (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>Everyone joined in for a rendition of "We Wish You A Merry Christmas". (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>This was the 27th annual carol sing at McMichael Park. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>This was the 27th annual carol sing at McMichael Park. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>Young children watch as the candles light up the park. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>Young children watch as the candles light up the park. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>East Falls neighbors came out to McMichael Park for the traditional holiday event. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>East Falls neighbors came out to McMichael Park for the traditional holiday event. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>A family carols together in East Falls. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>A family carols together in East Falls. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>Some carolers used two candles for better illumination. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>Some carolers used two candles for better illumination. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>Sheet music is lit up by a candle. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>Sheet music is lit up by a candle. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>Kids share a flame to light the next candle. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>Kids share a flame to light the next candle. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>Hundreds came out for the annual event in East Falls. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>Hundreds came out for the annual event in East Falls. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>This was the 27th annual carol sing at McMichael Park in East Falls. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>This was the 27th annual carol sing at McMichael Park in East Falls. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>Luminaries lit up the path to the monument in McMichael Park. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>Luminaries lit up the path to the monument in McMichael Park. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

The 27th annual East Falls Holiday Sing was held at McMichael Park this week.

Dozens of nearby residents came out to carol with neighbors by candlelight just before 7 p.m. on Wednesday night.

The event was sponsored by the East Falls Community Council, Friends of the Falls of Schuylkill Library, the East Falls Presbyterian Church, the East Falls Brownie Troop #91397 and K. Group Inc.

Following the event, the crowd warmed up with hot cider and holiday treats at the East Falls Presbyterian Church.

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