PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Good news for fans of Philadelphia’s beloved holiday traditions: The Wanamaker’s Light Show and Dickens Village are coming back, along with a host of events announced Friday, in the shuttered department store.
The music of the Wanamaker Organ once again filled the Grand Court as Philadelphia Visitor Center President Kathryn Ott Lovell announced the kickoff of the effort to save the attractions, surrounded by Santa Claus, Ebenezer Scrooge, and Tiny Tim.
“Because these aren’t just holiday attractions. They represent the heart of our holiday season and the spirit of our city,” said Lovell.
As they prepare to convert the building to a mixed commercial and residential space the building’s new owner, TF Cornerstone, has agreed to host not only the two main attractions this year but to restore daily organ concerts throughout light show season.
“Live daily concerts on the Wanamaker Organ are returning during light show season,” said Ray Biswanger, president of Friends of the Wanamaker Organ.
Lovell set a fundraising goal of $350,000 to revive the attractions but she confessed she doesn’t really know how much it will cost to run them and preserve them for the future.
“We had no idea the investment Macy’s was making each year to bring these attractions to life and it’s now on us to pick up where they left off,” she said. “The light show and Dickens Village have always been free and open to the public and it is our commitment to keep them that way but if you love the light show and the Dickens Village and you want to see them continue for generations to come as Philadelphia traditions, please continue supporting this effort.”
There’s a fundraising page with various incentives at: https://givebutter.com/SaveTheLightShow
Lovell said Macy’s counted 2,000 shoppers per light show and 10,000 visitors daily to the Dickens Village making them a major economic contributor to the downtown economy.
But Binswanger said the city’s attachment to the traditions are a driving force for the revival.
“Traditions matter. Traditions help define who we are as a city. Traditions permeate our very souls,” he said.
Opera Philadelphia president Anthony Costanzo announced the company has secured a $1 million grant to bring not just opera but dance, art, movies and parties to the grand court beginning September 7.
“We are going to be presenting months of opportunities for people to come in, experience the space in new ways, imagine its future,” said Costanzo.
The Grand Court has been cleared of display cases and shoe racks, but the iconic eagle still sits at its heart, ready to serve as a meeting place for at least one more Christmas season.