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KINGSTON — As 7 p.m. approached on a warm July night, families lined up at the entrance to the Kingston pool, eager for a little holiday-themed fun months ahead of schedule.
The pool’s annual Christmas in July event was initially set for Wednesday, July 25, but a lot of wet weather preventing that from happening, said David Weaver, head lifeguard.
The decision to move the event to Saturday night paid off, leaving families eager to find relief from the sun’s heat.
“It’s like a nice way to sort of take a break from summer and look forward to the winter,” he said of the reasoning behind Christmas in July.
Many lifeguards opted to wear hues of green and red, some even sporting Christmas hats. Around the pool, parents took pictures of their children next to a decorated Santa figurine and Christmas tree while listening to holiday music.
Some attendees also decided to dress for the occasion.
Clad in a green shirt featuring the Grinch with a matching reindeer headpiece, 8-year-old Keira Flynn happily pranced around the pool with friends as her parents watched. Keira and her family said they often attend the pool’s themed events.
“They do different kinds of parties, and it’s good for the kids to come and swim,” said her father Mike, of Larksville.
Children hurriedly lined up at various diving boards and waterslides. Others opted to lounge poolside on a row of chairs, taking selfies with each other while discreetly swaying to the tune of Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas” and more.
Standing at the water’s edge, Kingston resident Michelle Dutchin watched as her family enjoyed the pool. Recently moving to Northeastern Pennsylvania from New York, Dutchin was happy to find a summer activity for her family so close by.
As family members were busy teaching her son how to swim, Dutchin said she now might get a pool membership.
“This is our first time actually here, it’s nice though. I really like it,” she said. “It’s a nice area.”