· Downtown, In the news
In The Sentinel: Deck the Downtown Elves Bring Holiday Magic to Lewistown
Deck the Downtown's volunteers are decorating downtown Lewistown for the holidays, with power from the former SAM Inc. building at 100 East Market Street, owned by MAB Holdings LLC and managed by BPM.
Deck the Downtown volunteer Cory Hall on a scissor lift downtown. Submitted photo, via The Sentinel.
Downtown Lewistown is getting dressed for the holidays, thanks to the volunteers of Deck the Downtown. The Sentinel’s Greg Williams told their story in an article published November 12, 2026.
Highlights from the article
- A grassroots crew. Now in its third year, Deck the Downtown is about a dozen volunteers led by president Britney Hall, working out of garages, basements and right on the sidewalks downtown.
- Decorations all over downtown. Handmade snowflakes on the light poles along East and West Market streets, garland with oversized gold ornaments, decorated storefronts and awnings, and lights strung through the trees on Monument Square.
- Power is the hardest part. Limited electrical outlets are the group’s biggest obstacle, and wind is hard on the displays. Local partners have helped, including power access at the former SAM Inc. building, scissor lifts from two equipment companies, the borough grounds crew, and carts and ladders from RT Fell & Co.
- Run on donations. The group has spent more than $1,500 this year, is working toward nonprofit status, and welcomes donations of lights and materials. Downtown businesses are invited to join in with window decorating.
- Holiday events ahead. The Lewistown Christmas Parade steps off at 6 p.m. Wednesday, December 3, kicking off the Festival of Ice, with family activities continuing Thursday and Friday, December 4 and 5.
Our part
The former SAM Inc. building is 100 East Market Street, now owned by our affiliate MAB Holdings LLC and managed by BPM Property Management. We’re glad to keep the power flowing for Deck the Downtown every year, and we’re installing additional outlets at the street clock and one other downtown spot so the volunteers have more places to plug in.
We’re grateful for all the hard work these volunteers put in to make downtown shine. To help, donate on Venmo at @Deckthe-downtown or at any MCS Bank branch.
Thank you to Greg Williams and The Sentinel for the story.
