>Pagoda Work Not Complete So Residents to Flash Own Lights for Santa
(Reading, PA) -- Ongoing work to renovate the Reading Pagoda this year will prevent the iconic structure from flashing its lights at 9:00 p.m. Christmas Eve. The long-standing tradition stems from sending a signal to children that it was time to get to bed, as well as providing a beacon to Santa to guide his sleigh. City officials say this year instead, the Reading Fire Department truck will blink its lights from the Pagoda parking above the city lot to assist Santa in finding Reading. The public is also invited to bring flashlights to join in. Gates will open at 8:45 p.m. and close after the light up ends around 9:15 p.m.