Community Arts Center to host 17th annual Holiday Spectacular

For the past 16 years, the Community Arts Center has hosted the Skip Hunsinger Holiday Spectacular: an afternoon of holiday cheer, presents and entertainment.

Made possible through the efforts of the Hunsinger family and the Community Arts Center Volunteer Corps, the annual local tradition continues Sunday, Dec. 10, as the Arts Center once again opens its doors to the community to celebrate.

The free event – open to children ages 5-10 – will feature a screening of "Kung Fu Panda Holiday," a visit from Santa Claus and an opportunity for area children to win one of 12 grand prizes purchased through generous donations to the Spectacular fund. Gifts will be given to the first 300 children, and each child who attends will receive a raffle ticket eligible to be drawn by Santa for grand prizes that include toys and video game systems. Children will also have the opportunity to have their photo taken with Santa!

The Spectacular began in 2007, when the late Skip Hunsinger and current CAC volunteer Frank Missigman joined forces to reinvent a downtown Williamsport holiday tradition that they enjoyed growing up in the mid-20th century.

The original event, sponsored by the AFL-CIO and held from the late 1930s to the 1960s in what was then the Capitol Theatre, was created to help families and children in need during the holiday season. The efforts of Hunsinger, Missigman and the rest of the CAC Volunteer Corps contributed to the rebirth of a cherished tradition that has brought joy to children in the Williamsport community ever since.

“We host so many incredible local events here at the Arts Center, but seeing the joy and awe on the kids’ faces every holiday season makes this one of our favorites,” said Jim Dougherty, executive director. “We’re incredibly lucky to have such a dedicated and generous group of volunteers, and their and the Hunsinger family’s commitment to creating a special day for area children really is something magical.”

Doors will open at 1:30 p.m., with festivities beginning at 2 p.m. For inquiries about the 17th Annual Holiday Spectacular, contact the Community Arts Center box office at 570-326-2424.

The CAC is owned and operated by Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education.