Heralding the peak of the holiday season in the Lehigh Valley, the brilliantly illuminated Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan rolls into town on Saturday, December 22nd. The Caravan, an 18-wheeled semi-truck festooned with 25,000 twinkling lights will offer local residents a merry mix of fun holiday activities, while spreading the Christmas spirit.
The Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan will be on Main Street in Historic Bethlehem (between Broad and Walnut Streets) from 2pm until 8pm. The caravan is open to the public and free of charge. The festivities will begin at 2pm with a truck lighting ceremony featuring Mayor John Callahan and Joe Brake, Vice President and General Manager of the Coca-Cola Bottling Co. of the Lehigh Valley. Complimentary photos with Santa will be available throughout the day. Performances by the talented students of the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts and the world famous Bach Choir of Bethlehem will fill the air with holiday cheer. Stay for a reading of a classic Christmas story or learn about the birds of prey that reside at Lehigh Valley Zoo. Take a picture in front of Just Born’s Peepsmobile™ and don’t forget to enter for a chance to win a $1,000 GIANT® Food Stores gift card.
Inspired by the armada of trucks featured in the popular
Coca-Cola Caravan holiday television commercials, the Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan has a 46-foot long, 13-foot high trailer entirely illuminated by sparkling red and white lights. A red cab, outlined in glowing white lights, pulls the trailer. A portable holiday scene – complete with Christmas trees, wooden benches, fences and a stage – travels inside the trailer and will be erected at local events to help create special memories for visitors.
Coca-Cola has long been associated with Christmastime. In 1931, The Coca-Cola Company commissioned renowned artist, Haddon Sundblom, to illustrate the image of Santa Claus for use in a magazine advertising campaign. His distinctive interpretation of St. Nick depicted a merry gentleman with rosy cheeks, a fluffy white beard and red outfit with a large black belt. Over the years, the Coca-Cola Santa became a universal image of the jolly old elf associated with Christmas and Coca-Cola that is recognized around the world.
